Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While almost 30 members contributed to the Order of Business, we do not have 30 members present at this stage.

The question of storm damage was raised by Senator Darragh O'Brien and several other Senators. The Government intends to exhaust every possible avenue with the European Union to try to access funding. With regard to the debate in the House on storm damage two weeks ago, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, was to come in and address that debate but he was called away at short notice and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Joe Costello, took the debate on his behalf. Members had called for the debate and it was organised at quite short notice. That was the reason the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, agreed to come to the House for the debate. I thank him most sincerely.

The flooding in Cork, Limerick, in my own city and county, in Wexford and in many other areas is devastating for all the people involved and our heart goes out to them, but they need more than sympathy. There is a need for greater financial assistance to be made available. There is also a need to address the issue on a long-term basis in respect of planning for the future. The Minister is on record as saying that the €45 million that is available this year is simply not sufficient. As the responsibility rests between the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Office of Public Works for various aspects of the provision and repair in relation to flooding, I will endeavour to have the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, or the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, come to the House to address this very important matter given that many areas have suffered devastation in recent weeks. If the high tides and south east gales persist, there is a danger of further problems, not only in the next few weeks but into the future, and that will have to be planned for.

Senators Ivana Bacik, Katherine Zappone, Fiach Mac Conghail and others raised the issue of LGBT rights and addressed a matter raised by Senator Averil Power last week. In that regard we can certainly have a further debate on homophobia in this House. The House has been to the forefront in debating the issue and will continue to do so and will not be prevented from doing so. We will certainly try to arrange for a further debate on the matter.

I should say to Senator David Norris that it is not in my remit to investigate any organisation. It is not my responsibility to initiate an investigation into an organisation.

Senator Katherine Zappone acknowledged the work of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, and called for a debate on a living wage in Ireland. I will certainly invite the Minister to come to the House. As the Deputy is aware she will be in the House tomorrow for an hour for statements on the youth guarantee implementation plan.

Senators Gilroy and MacSharry also raised the storm damage.

Senators Henry, Moran, Mullins, Noone and others commented on neknominations. Society must adopt a more responsible attitude to alcohol consumption. I call on all young adults not to engage in the neknominations craze and not to apply peer pressure when it comes to drinking. Many Members called on the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Alex White, to come to the House to discuss the public health and alcohol Bill. It is taking time to prepare that legislation but I will ask him to come to the House to give us an update on the issue.

Senators Barrett and Quinn referred to the SEPA and perhaps that can be raised with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Donohoe, when he visits the House tomorrow. That would provide an ideal opportunity to raise the matter with him.

Senator Burke called for a central fund paid into by insurance companies for flood damage and perhaps that can be addressed when the Minister attends the House.

Senators Cullinane and Kelly raised the sittings of the House. I said last week during the debate on Seanad reform that Departments will have to address the situation where we have little or no legislation at the beginning of a term and a rush of legislation towards the end of a term. These peaks and troughs have existed for as long as I have been a Member of the House but they need to be addressed. On many occasions, we hear that the Government is responsible and accountable to Dáil Éireann and I cannot demand that Ministers come to the House for statements on any item within their remit. Some Ministers are co-operative but others, for many reasons, have been unable to give the time Members expect.