Ivana Bacik

Order of Business

6^th July 2010

Senator Ivana Bacik: I support what previous speakers stated in respect of the ordering of Seanad business. I request that the Leader arrange a debate on how we order our business. In the brief time during which I have been a Member, each summer it appears we are affected by a chronic condition I term “Julyitis”, which results in a large number of Bills being rushed through the House. A number of important amendments relating to credit unions have been tabled in respect of the Central Bank Reform Bill, all Stages of which are due to be taken tonight. I agree that there is a need to impose a more orderly structure on debates in the House.

Another example in this regard is the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010, which is due to be taken later today and which was only passed by the Dáil last week. Again, there appears to be unseemly haste in the context of having the Bill, which contains an unfortunate provision relating to the closure of St. Luke’s Hospital - a noted centre of excellence for the treatment of cancer patients which is located in Rathgar in Dublin - passed. My party and Fine Gael have each tabled an amendment to this Bill, which should not be rushed through the House because it is worthy of much more detailed consideration.

I request that the Leader make time available for a debate on job creation, in light of extremely worrying reports at the weekend with regard to projected job losses in the banks. This is a matter of real concern, particularly in light of the fact the banks are guaranteed by the State. There is a need to maximise the number of jobs that can be created and sustained. There is one key area in this regard in which the Green Party, in particular, should be interested. We must maximise the number of jobs in all sectors. One such sector is tourism. Cycling tourism has grown exponentially in recent years. The inaugural Sky Ride Etape Hibernia is due to take place in the Burren and throughout County Clare on 22 August next and thousands of cyclists from abroad are due to travel to Ireland to take part. However, there has been no joined-up thinking in respect of it because Irish Rail will not transport bicycles on trains. This may seem to be a small issue but it is one of enormous importance to cyclists who wish to travel here to participate in cycle races, experience Ireland’s culture, contribute to the economy and assist job creation. These individuals experience enormous difficulties when trying to transport their bicycles throughout the country.

Will the Leader ask the Minister for Transport to discover why Irish Rail no longer transports bicycles on its trains? The company used to transport bicycles in the past but it has stopped this practice. That is a real shame because, as a cyclist, I am aware how difficult it is to get from one end of the country to the other in order to take part in a cycle race.

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