Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the comments made by Senators MacSharry, Comiskey and Michael Mullins regarding the delay in farm payments. It has been suggested that this is due to the digitising of information but I will clarify the situation with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and, hopefully, the matter will be addressed in early course. I appreciate the problems facing farmers and delays such as this should not be happening.

A number of Senators referred to rent controls and housing matters. All the proposals announced this week by the Minister will be contained in the residential tenancies Bill which will be brought before the House next Tuesday. If we do not complete Second and Committee Stages on Tuesday, we will complete Committee Stage on Wednesday and proceed to Report Stage the following week. It is intended to move immediately on the proposals that were announced and that this legislation will pass through both Houses as soon as is practicable. I assure the House that sufficient time will be allowed next Tuesday for Second and Committee Stages and if Committee Stage has not concluded on Tuesday, it will conclude on Wednesday.

Senator Bacik called for a debate on third level education and we will try to facilitate that. However, I cannot guarantee that the debate will be held before Christmas because we have quite an amount of legislation due before us. On the point made by Senators Bacik and Norris on national and Dublin traffic flows, I would not like to usurp the powers of the local authorities as they are responsible for the traffic flows within their areas and it is a matter for the city councils to deal with traffic management plans. They are the appropriate bodies in which debate that topic.

Senators Norris, Kelly, Mooney, Craughwell, Conway and others referred to banking practices. Banking practices are changing and this is creating difficulties for people. The matter was raised last week. The banks do not realise that some people, old and young, just do not have computers or iPhones and that some customers prefer to go into a bank and be dealt with courteously by real people, but that is all changing.As has been pointed out by Senator Mooney, we may have a new banking system in post offices. I am not aware that any government is holding up plans by An Post to extend banking services but I will certainly inquire about the matter. People have choices in respect of banks. I know people do not like changing banks if they are with one for 20, 30 or 40 years but they may have to in order to get the proper customer service that they need and should get. I would be in full agreement with Senator Norris and the other Senators in their sentiments regarding banks.

Senator Paul Coghlan called for a debate on the Stormont House talks when they have been concluded. It is hoped that they will be concluded this week. The Senator also mentioned cross-Border smuggling, fuel laundering and those blue alert signs on roads, which are put up by paramilitaries and criminals and ask that any problems would be reported to them. That type of system will certainly have to stop as will the lawlessness that is going on in that part of the country. It is totally unacceptable and needs to be addressed by both Governments.

Senators O'Donovan and Landy raised the problems with the spread of Japanese knotweed, which is undermining foundations, roads, etc. I will try to arrange a debate but am sure it will be raised at the appropriate joint committee. It is a very serious problem.

Senator Barrett made a very good point about the 17 year old gentleman who scored for Finn Harps in the recent game. It was a very good comment about a political football, considering that his father had stood for elections last year. I note the Senator's point in that regard.

Senator Naughton discussed the report of the Immigrant Council of Ireland on prostitution and the need for the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill to be progressed and I take the Senator's point. The Bill was initiated in this House. The Senator also raised Galway's application for the capital of culture 2020. We wish Galway well but I also wish the Three Sisters 2020 presentation from Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford well. I can assure colleagues that will be a very strong presentation.