Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Finance. I pay tribute to all the work he did on affordable and social housing. While it was not an easy job to do, the statistics prove the effect his work had locally. While I did not take the opportunity this morning, as it was inappropriate, I now thank the Acting Chairman, Senator Henry, for her professional medical expertise that she shared with us in the House when she spoke on matters medical. It was fantastic to listen to her.

I welcome our two new colleagues, Senators Dorgan and O'Gorman. The integrity of Senator Dorgan as general secretary of the party is beyond doubt all the time. It cannot be said about everybody, but in Senator Dorgan's case my regard for him is absolute. As we all know, Senator O'Gorman put the issue of child sexual abuse on the agenda. It was only proper that he was appointed and I hope he will be reappointed to the new Seanad to allow him to continue the work he has done on child sexual abuse which has not been adequately addressed in many institutions beyond those we know about.

I wish to make a point about the three new Minister of State positions. Senator Quinn referred to jobs for the boys but the new positions are not jobs for the boys or girls. Our population has increased by 10% over the past number of years and immigrants are critical to the sustainability of our economy. It would be remiss and neglectful of us as Government policy makers if we did not look after the integration of immigrants and the public would not thank us if we failed to do so.

A total of 10% of the population comprises foreign nationals. Immigrants have been not been integrated properly in Britain and France. For example, five NHS doctors in the UK are alleged to be involved in the latest attempted bombings. It is difficult that doctors who take an oath to protect life would do so. There is something wrong in British integration policy. Most immigrants to Britain hail from former British colonies and some have travelled on to Ireland but, even though many of their children were born in England and they have lived there for many years, they are still not treated as British by the British people because their skin is different. How did five doctors get involved in bombings in England? Reference was made earlier to riots in France involving immigrants because of the lack of proper integration. A strategic policy on the integration of immigrants is needed and it should respect those who travel here to sustain our economy, given that it would collapse if they did not do so. The public would be critical of the Government parties if they did not take effective action to integrate immigrants who kindly take up work in the State.

With regard to the elderly, I published a document, A New Approach to Ageing and Ageism. I drove the issue of care of the elderly and I ensured it was picked up on the political radar. I fought hard to ensure the issue was addressed in the Fianna Fáil manifesto. Our population is both increasing and living longer because of better housing, medication and so on. However, when I give talks on my document on the elderly, I reiterate that our life expectancy is still lower than 32 other OECD countries because of bad dietary habits, lack of exercise and a propensity towards alcohol and cigarettes. One of the achievements of the previous Government was the ban on smoking in public places, which was tremendous. A Minister of State is needed in this area. A total of 71% of those aged over 50 voted in the general election and, as that cohort of our population increases, it needs to be looked after. We are 40 years behind the US in the care of our elderly. I am delighted Deputy Hoctor, who is a sensitive and visionary politician, has been appointed Minister of State for the elderly and she will do a tremendous job.

Deputy Devins has been appointed Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children. As a doctor, he will, hopefully, emulate Senator Henry. People attending his clinics have mental problems and so on. I have learned in recent weeks county councillors also act as social workers and mental health counsellors to the public. As people no longer go to confession on a Saturday and because of the general fall-off in religion, local authority members and county councillors are looking after the public. That is a fact. People come to councillors to get problems off their chest.