[Senator Jerry Buttimer   ]
In a rare moment of equality on this side of this House, I sympathise with Senator Boyle on his plight last night. An Cathaoirleach: The Senator should be asking questions of the Leader. Senator Jerry Buttimer: I am. I am asking for a debate—— An Cathaoirleach: I know that Cork people are very loyal to one another. Senator Rónán Mullen: The Senator could look into Facebook over it. An Cathaoirleach: Please. Senator Jerry Buttimer: I am asking for a debate on the role of the media and the way in which they cover politics. While much of Senator Boyle’s plight was because of Facebook and Twitter, what happened last night on television was a very poor day for journalism. Whatever else about us as politicians, we work hard and represent the people. While we might have a different viewpoint regarding policies and personalities, but we leave that behind us when we go outside the doors of these Houses and we work for the people collectively. What happened yesterday on television was poor. I say that as somebody who is very critical of Government policy. I suggest to Senator Ó Murchú that the Government’s policy has failed with 340,000 people unemployed, our banks almost bankrupt and the country almost bankrupt. That is the fundamental problem. We need a debate on how we can get out of the situation we are in, why Government has created unemployment and why the country is almost bankrupt. Part of the blame lies with the policies pursued by Fianna Fáil and the Green Party. As Senator Norris said, it is important for us to stand collectively together to defend ourselves. An Cathaoirleach: Time is almost up and some Members who have been here from the start want to contribute. Senator Jerry Buttimer: There is a growing trend towards tabloid journalism which does not serve the people well. An Cathaoirleach: Time is almost up. I want to call some Members who have been here from the start of business if I can. Senator Eugene Regan: Today is world book day. I welcome the fact that on “Morning Ireland” this morning, Maeve Binchy was heard to intervene on the closure of Sallynoggin library. While I know it is a specific issue, it is one that goes to the heart of how we design our policies. We have a national policy on social inclusion and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has a policy on social inclusion reflected in its development plans. When it comes to the reality, the words mean nothing when it comes to the closure of this library, which has 1,300 members and had 22,000 books lent in a single year. It is a disgrace. It defies logic that this library is to close. Senator Dan Boyle: Who made the decision? Senator Eugene Regan: I remind Senator Boyle that I am not finished. An Cathaoirleach: No interruptions, please. Senator Eugene Regan: I wrote to all the councillors last December appealing to them not to do this in January’s budget discussion. I wrote to the county manager and have delivered 5,000 leaflets on the matter. This is bad policy. Senator Larry Butler: It was done by members of the Senator’s party. An Cathaoirleach: No interruptions, please. (Interruptions). An Cathaoirleach: Does the Senator have a question for the Leader? Senator Eugene Regan: My question is as follows. I am asking the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, or whoever may become the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to intervene in the matter. When a council cuts across its own development plan and national policies on social inclusion—— Senator Camillus Glynn: Fine Gael controls the council. Senator Geraldine Feeney: The Senator should talk to his own people. Are they talking to him? An Cathaoirleach: I will adjourn the House if Members continue to interrupt. Senator Eugene Regan: ——it is required that the Minister would intervene in the matter. There is no disagreement in the House on this issue and I ask the Leader to address that question to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Senator Larry Butler: It is a Labour and Fine Gael county council. Senator Paschal Donohoe: I ask the Leader to investigate claims made yesterday that, owing to the industrial action taking place in our public services, social welfare offices were closed to people wanting to collect social welfare benefits. I would like him to tell us the number of offices and the benefits that were affected by that industrial action. This is an important issue that the House should address. People are entitled and allowed to make their point, campaign and use the industrial relations tools at their disposal, but they should reflect on the fact that the consequence of such action is that people who do not have jobs suffer as a result of it. There is a choice facing our society between the protection of jobs and the protection of income but in the choices any of us make, we must keep in mind those people who have been unlucky to lose their jobs through no fault of their own. I ask the Leader to investigate the number of people affected by this industrial action. If it turns out to be the case that people were unable to claim their benefits, those responsible might reflect on the consequences of their actions on people who are much less fortunate than themselves. Senator Mark Dearey: I support Senator McFadden’s call for a debate on her neighbour’s asylum status and the deportation order that has caused such great distress in her case. The debate could be widened to include the general issue of the way we are dealing with the backlog of applications. I understand legislation is on the way. It will not bring good news for all who are on the list but at least it will bring quick news. Senator David Norris: And it is rotten legislation too. An Cathaoirleach: Please, no interruptions. Senator Mark Dearey: At the very least it will create some clarity. I attended a recent forum in Dundalk with Deputy Ciarán Cuffe where we met with approximately 70 or 80 members of the African community in town, most of whom are in limbo, so to speak. They are aware that not all of them will get good news but they want some clarity and dignity in the way their cases are being handled. That is in short supply in regard to those people. Regarding Sallynoggin library, my understanding is that the decision was taken in the context of a new headquarters being opened in Dún Laoghaire which will be of enormous benefit to the wider community. It represents a significant investment by both the council and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, is part of the development plan for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and is expressed as a strategic objective in that plan, for which I assume Senator Regan’s councillor colleagues voted. An Cathaoirleach: The point has been made. Senator Mark Dearey: We need the whole story in this case and not part of the story. Senator Michael McCarthy: Speech. An Cathaoirleach: I have gone over time. I have to apologise to the other Members who wished to speak today. Five Members have missed out and I apologise to them. Senator David Norris: That is a very good argument for extending the Order of Business. An Cathaoirleach: My hands are tied. Senator Donie Cassidy: I acknowledge former Senator and councillor, Farrell McElgunn, who is in the Visitors Gallery with a group of active age members and some friends of ours from Athlone, particularly the person from Castlepollard who I see in the Visitors Gallery. An Cathaoirleach: That is not in order. Senator Donie Cassidy: Senators Twomey, O’Toole, Hannigan, Coghlan, Hanafin, Leyden and Buttimer called for a debate on banking. As I said on the Order of Business during the week, the Finance Bill will be debated on 24, 25 and 26 March. We will have an all day and all night Second Stage debate and as I have already indicated, I will allow additional time to ensure everything pertaining to the finance portfolio can be debated on Wednesday, 24 March. I invite colleagues to take up their various concerns with the Minister for Finance who will be present in the House that day. Senators Twomey, O’Toole, Hannigan, Boyle, Mooney, Hanafin, Bradford, Ormonde, Quinn and Callely called for a debate on the pensions report. That is timely and I have no difficulty in the House having a lengthy debate on that issue. It is a serious challenge facing the nation and everyone can learn from the sorry experiences they have had in terms of what has happened to pension funds, especially since 2007. Senators O’Toole, Boyle, O’Sullivan, Coghlan, Ó Murchú, Bradford, Ormonde, Healy Eames and Regan called on the Government to continue its great work on funding of the arts. It was this Government that appointed a Minister to be in charge of the arts. A great deal has been done, particularly in all the one-stop-shops throughout the country, whether in Castlepollard or Kilbeggan, where the libraries have increased to three times their size. We have a beautiful library in Castlepollard comprising 1,500 sq. ft. which has almost 1,700 members. There is a great deal of good work being done. Regarding the experience in Farmleigh, the feedback we got from all the successful, Irish-born people from throughout the world was about the portfolio of arts. That is the area in which we have achieved the most, whether it be in regard to our entertainers, our musicals, our artists or anyone participating in the film world. What other country’s music is a brand name? We are the envy of most countries in the world in terms of our success in the arts. I agree we should have an afternoon debate on arts and arts funding and we can also take up the issue with the Minister for Finance when he is in the House on 24 March. Senator Hannigan referred to the sad passing of Michael Foot. I join the Senator in his comments on the contribution the late Mr. Foot made to public life in the United Kingdom. Reference was made to today being national book day—— Senator Fidelma Healy Eames: International book day. Senator Donie Cassidy: ——and the contribution made by our libraries. Senators Boyle, Norris and Buttimer called for a debate on the media in politics, the role of the media in public life and the downturn in the economy in terms of how they are not uplifting our people. It is a race to the bottom—— Senator Rónán Mullen: It is a fair point. Senator Donie Cassidy: ——with bad news coming out all the time. That is not being responsible and the leadership of the media have a responsibility in this regard. We had a responsible media here for decades but a new dimension is creeping in from the media outside the island of Ireland. That is from where competition is being perceived to be coming. I have no difficulty in having a debate on the role of the media and the role of the Press Council in this regard. Senator Rónán Mullen: Will it be soon, Leader? Senator Donie Cassidy: Yes, do I not always listen to the requests of colleagues? Senator Rónán Mullen: It is very urgent. An Cathaoirleach: No interruptions, please. The Leader is replying to the Order of Business. Senator Donie Cassidy: Legislation must take precedence and next week, as was the case this week, a number of Bills will come to the House. Senators Fitzgerald, Leyden and Callely referred to the Health Service Executive reports that are pending. I listened to both sides attentively in that regard and look forward to their publication. The constitutionality concerns of the HSE must also be taken into account but I know many colleagues in the House wish to have this report brought to our attention and discussed in the House. As soon as the report is published, I hope to have it for their consideration in the House within a few short weeks. Senator Mooney raised the issue of Irish foreign affairs policy and our role within the European Union and expressed his concerns in that regard. I have no difficulty in passing those on to the Minister for Foreign Affairs with a view to seeing how we can progress his proposal. Senator Healy Eames called for a debate on literacy and quality in education. I have no difficulty in allocating time for that. Senator O’Sullivan referred to the good news that 500 new jobs are to be created to work on the gas supply line at Tarbert. He called on the Minister, Deputy Ryan, to come to the House to discuss the energy hub at Shannon Estuary and everything pertaining to that part of the country. I will have no difficulty in arranging a debate on the matter in the very near future. Senator Cannon called for a debate on the green economy. Such a debate would be timely on one of the central parts of the programme for Government. I will have no difficulty in arranging a debate on wind power, wave power and every related issue, apart from oil for which we have paid dearly for many years. Senator Quinn outlined the high container charges and the fact that by 2011 all exports to the United States would have to be scanned. I will have no difficulty with the issue being discussed at a future date. The Senator also referred to the successful conference he attended yesterday in which the Taoiseach participated. Certainly, for most of the self-employed there is no such thing as a retirement age. I fully agree with the sentiments expressed by the Senator. As 75% of all businesses in Ireland are family run, everyone will have to step into line for them to remain competitive. Senator Callely called for a debate on the issue of competitiveness. This is the greatest challenge facing the country. If it is overcome, the country will be well placed to witness an uplift in the economy and a return to buoyancy which we all experienced in the past ten or 12 years. Senators McFadden and Dearey mentioned the Gillian Fallon case. I share their sentiments and will consult the Minister’s office after the Order of Business. I will come back to the two Senators on the case. Senator Ó Domhnaill outlined his serious concern about head shops and complimented the Government on banning various substances. The debate on head shops which commenced in the House last week will be continued next week. For those colleagues who were disappointed not to have an opportunity to make their contribution the matter is to be discussed in the House again. Senator Ó Domhnaill also mentioned the ongoing activities north of the Border and the young man who had lost his life in Derry. I will certainly convey his serious concerns to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Those of us who attended the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly in Cavan last week came away extremely confident, given the close working arrangements and co-operation between the PSNI and the Garda Síochána. Please God, such occurrences will be rare in the future, rather than being the order of the day, as they were in the past 30 years. Senator Buttimer called for a debate on the national plan to deal with rare diseases. I will convey the Senator’s strong views on the issue to the Minister for Health and Children. We can debate it in the House with the Minister present at a future date. Senator Donohoe mentioned social welfare recipients, persons who were unemployed and unable to work. I will contact the Minister’s office about the matter and get back to the Senator in the afternoon. Order of Business agreed to.  Energy Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee Stage.
SECTION 1. An Cathaoirleach: Amendment No. 1 is a Government amendment. As Government amendments Nos. 1 and 2 are consequential, they may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed. Government amendment No. 1: In page 5, subsection (2), line 34, to delete “the Minister” and substitute the following:
“the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources”.
Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Conor Lenihan): This amendment is being inserted to clarify that it is the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources who will make any necessary orders. It does not affect the policy. The definition of “Minister” is being deleted in section 2, as it has now been included in section 1. The definition of “Principal Act” is clarified further and does not affect the policy. I propose that the amendments be accepted. Amendment agreed to. Section 1, as amended, agreed to. NEW SECTION. Government amendment No. 2: In page 6, before section 2, to insert the following new section:
2.—In this Act “Principal Act” means the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007.”.
Amendment agreed to. Section 2 agreed to. SECTION 3. An Cathaoirleach: Amendments Nos. 3, 4, 6 to 8, inclusive, 12, 13, 28 and 32 are related and may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed. Senator David Norris: I move amendment No. 3: In page 6, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following:
“‘bioethanol’ shall only be deemed to constitute a biofuel in the case of ethyl alcohol ex CN (Combined nomenclature) sub-heading Taric code 2207 1000 with an alcohol content of at least 99 per cent volume the properties of which comply at least the requirements set in document EN 15376:2007 or any subsequent revisions to this document by the EU Committee for Standardisation CEN;”.
This is a series of related amendments which go right to the heart of the matter on which I have been lobbied effectively by a commercial company. I think the Minister of State will agree that in the current economic circumstances it is important that we foster and encourage potential indigenous industrial development. What we are looking for is a level playing field. It is similar to the position on Brazilian beef. I happen to love Brazil. Its people are very charming. It is a very beautiful place and I have been there on a number of occasions. Therefore, I am not anti-Brazilian, but we need a level playing field for those involved in our own industry. We have seen the agitation of farmers on the rules pertaining to beef production. We face a similar situation where the possible development of an indigenous industry may be stymied by the absence from the Bill of certain measures concerning tariffs which would bring us into line with at least eight other European countries which have introduced similar legislation. They have provided for such tariffs to create a level playing field. Some of the language used is unattractive — natured and undenatured. “Undenatured” is one of the most ugly words I have ever come across, but, regrettably, it appears to be necessary to describe some of the technical processes involved. Undenatured or naturally produced bioethanol is the equivalent of a kind of poteen; additives are included to dilute it and so on. It is also sometimes needed for certain chemical processes and so forth. However, the transport of undenatured ethanol is a standard international practice. There is nothing against it; it is not dangerous. Therefore, there is no technical argument against it. To secure the type of investment required, which is very significant, it is essential that our domestic legislation mirrors the European legislation of which I have spoken. Sweden applies these tariffs to Brazilian ethanol, as do Belgium, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Austria and Spain. I urge the Minister to accept this amendment and to get involved in direct discussions with the agencies that wish to introduce this type of manufacturing into this country. The impact of this would be to secure jobs and to provide for the security of our bio-fuel requirements within the European Union. At present, we use some of the major oil companies, which bring it in from various countries around the world. That does not confer any real benefit on the Irish industrial community. There would also be the development of plant infrastructure, and 4% of our fossil fuel requirements would be replaced by this indigenously produced material, which is very environmentally friendly. A total of 100,000 tonnes of fuel would be produced as well as 110,000 tonnes of the basic materials for animal feed. In that regard we currently import soya from various countries, including Brazil. It will also produce 60,000 tonnes of CO2 gas, which we must import at present through the British Oxygen Company. The proposed plant would be located in Waterford and would be a major industrial development for the area. It would help to alleviate the economic distress being experienced in Waterford, particularly in the aftermath of the closure of companies such as Waterford Glass. That must be a major argument for the Government. What is being proposed is the adoption of the quality standard technically known as EN15376 which is also applied to externally sourced ethanol outside the European Union. The standard represents 99% volume purity, anhydrous — without water — and is the recommended standard used by the majority of EU member states to prevent tariff engineering of undenatured ethanol outside the EU or in bonded warehouses. The difference in both standards, in the main, is the water content of approximately 3%. The Brazilians would prefer to denature their own ethanol outside EU borders or within bonded warehouses inside the EU. This essentially means a lower bioethanol production cost per litre while obtaining maximum price within the EU. In other words, it is a tax dodge. This benefits the Brazilian domestic industry, without having to maintain EU standards of production. |