Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Hayden and others spoke about the speech given by President Obama. She called on the Minister, Deputy Shatter, to come to the House for a debate on inequality in society and on equality issues. That is another matter we will have to raise with the Minister when we try to get him to come to this House.

I would like to advise Senator Mullen that we are awaiting the Government's proposals for legislation on the X case. Very successful hearings on the matter were held in this Chamber a number of weeks ago. The Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health and Children is to be complimented on the manner in which he chaired those hearings, which were of benefit to us all. Everybody had their say in a meaningful and respectful way. The Members who were here to listen to the debate got a good insight into the positions being taken by both sides. That is how such debates should be carried out.

Senator Conway called for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House for a debate on restorative justice. I understand that pilot restorative justice schemes in Nenagh and other areas have proven to be quite successful. This is the third matter to which I have responded so far in which the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, is responsible. He will be a busy man in this House alone.

Senator MacSharry also raised the question of nurses, which I have dealt with.

Senator Moran and several other Senators extended their deep condolences to the family of the former Minister of State, Shane McEntee. I should have alluded to his death. I would like to take this opportunity to join my colleagues in expressing my sympathy. Shane McEntee was a decent, honourable and caring public representative. After his election to the other House he served the people of his constituency very well, and he did likewise in the areas for which he was responsible as Minister of State. I would like to join Members in expressing our sincere sympathies to his family. Senator Barrett referred specifically to Shane McEntee's performances in this House. Not so long ago, he came to the Seanad to speak about ash dieback disease, in which he certainly had a great fountain of knowledge. He carried out his duties in that respect in an excellent manner.

Senator Barrett also commended the Tánaiste and the Secretary of State on their work in Northern Ireland. I think we all agree with what he said about the need for a political solution to the flag situation.

Senators Noone, Higgins and Colm Burke spoke about HMV vouchers and asked whether legislation is required to protect consumers. It is possible that legislation is required to deal with this issue. Senator Burke made a point about separate accounts in that context. A number of aspects of this country's consumer protection code need to be debated. Perhaps the Minister who is responsible for this matter should be brought before the House. As I got a few vouchers for Christmas, I am in the same position as a number of people in this regard.

Senator Cullinane called for a debate on equality for women, a matter that was raised by Senator Hayden previously.

Again, we will try to bring the Minister to the House.

Likewise, Senator Moloney raised the issue of cyberbullying and urged parents to be cautious in that regard. We have discussed this in the House previously and I am sure it is a subject we will come back to again in early course.

Senator Ó Domhnaill spoke about the discovery of equine DNA in burgers. It is only fair to state that our food safety and traceability system is recognised as one of the best in the world. This is reflected in the fact that the issue was discovered using advanced testing methods which are not used in other jurisdictions at this point in time. It is a very serious issue none the less.

Senator Ó Domhnaill also referred to septic tanks. We will have the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the House this afternoon, and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, will be here tomorrow to discuss water services, so the Senator may have an opportunity to raise that matter with either of them.

Senator Healy Eames spoke about the conviction rate for rape and expressed the view that it was very low. It is alarmingly low and it is certainly a matter that should be researched and investigated. I agree with the Senator that we should debate it in this House.

Senator Norris also spoke on that case. While I cannot comment on the individual case, I agree with his sentiments that we should not be driven by tabloid headlines on any particular issue.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan outlined the plight of junior doctors and urged that we improve their conditions. Certainly, the working time directives that are in place will improve their conditions and I know the Minister is working on this issue currently.

Senator Walsh called for respectful and truthful debate at all times, and I am sure we would all agree with the sentiment that this is what we should have in the House. Debate should be respectful to everybody, be it the Chair or anybody else, and we should always be respectful and truthful.

Senator Kelly raised the issue of abuse of the free legal aid system, particularly with regard to the use of the system by habitual offenders, and Senator Brennan also referred to this point. It is a matter we can raise with the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh reminded us that this year is Bliain na Gaeilge. I am sure everybody will use the bit of Irish he or she has. We are blessed to have so many excellent speakers of the language in the House. We had a debate on one Bill in the House which was totally in the Irish language, which possibly had not happened in either House of the Oireachtas for a long time. Members of the House are to be commended on that.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh also raised the question of the invitations to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. As I have outlined on several occasions, there are protocols that must be gone through. We have initiated those protocols but we have not had a positive response from the people involved. Invitations have gone out but I understand that both of them must come here together and I would like to have both of them here together. It is not my fault the people in question are not here. It would be good to have them. With regard to a plebiscite, we will have to wait. I note Senator D'Arcy's point on the research undertaken by Queen's University on the matter but I am sure Senator Ó Clochartaigh would have a different view on that.

Senators D'Arcy and Ó Murchú referred to Showcase 2013, the excellent exhibition organised by the Crafts Council of Ireland that is currently under way, which highlights that we have so much positivity to offer in this country.

Senator D'Arcy asked about the extension of the JobBridge programme. We will certainly ask the Minister to comment on that. Senator Ó Murchú also outlined the positive aspects not only of Showcase 2013 in the RDS but also The Gathering and many other areas. The Senator should bring his side of the House together and outline to it that it should be expressing the good news that is available more often.

Senator Keane spoke about the extension of the maturities on Irish bonds and EFSF loans. Senator Gilroy also raised this issue. The finance Ministers agreed to examine extension of the maturities for Portugal and Ireland. Finance Ministers representing the 27 EU member states agreed at ECOFIN this morning that the duration of the loans drawn down under the European financial stabilisation mechanism will also be examined. This decision is only possible because we are delivering on our commitments and building support behind the scenes with our EU partners, which is very important. An extension of the maturities has the potential to further enhance Ireland's debt sustainability and improve our prospects of making a full return to the markets at competitive interest rates. All of these issues will, hopefully, be put to bed by the end of March and we can have a debate on that subject then.

Senator Harte spoke about medical cards. He argued that the role of community welfare officers in this matter should be highlighted and that they have disappeared from the scene although at one time many of them helped people to fill in medical card application forms. Citizens' information offices around the country can help and I am sure many Members of the Oireachtas and local representatives help applicants with this on a daily basis. We will try to get the Minister to come here to outline the changes with regard to the review of medical cards.

Senator Brennan must take up the issue of the venue for the Fleadh Cheoil with Senator Ó Murchú outside the House. Senator Brennan also raised the issues of sentencing and free legal aid, which were also raised by Senator Kelly. Senator Mullins spoke about positive suggestions and initiatives with regard to jobs. He pointed out that we had a debate on these in the House. Perhaps we should extend an invitation to the relevant Ministers to come here and take up other positive suggestions in that regard.

That concludes most of the items raised on the Order of Business.