Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to see that all Members are in good and strong voice after the recess. I join the Leader of the Opposition and many other Members who have expressed their deepest sympathy to the citizens of Boston on the three deaths and injuries to so many people at such an event. I hope the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Speaking personally, it brought back memories of the many atrocities we witnessed on this island for many years. What happened must have resonated with the relatives of victims of bombings on this island. I join Members in expressing sympathy to the citizens of Boston, with whom we have such good relations.

A number of Members raised the issue of the Croke Park II agreement on public sector pay. I remind the House that the Government is determined to fix the national finances and get Ireland back working again. In order to reach our necessary deficit reduction target, a further saving of €1 billion was required in the pay and pensions bill for public servants. The proposals were fair and equitable in their impact in that it was proposed to protect the salaries of 87% of public workers earning less than €65,000. However, it was difficult for trade union members to accept the proposals and it has been a difficult process for each and every one of them. It is unprecedented to ask public servants to sign up to an agreement that would impact negatively on their pay and conditions. As the Government has made clear on many occasions in recent weeks, a rejection of the proposals does not change the fact that in order to meet our budgetary targets and continue on the path to economic recovery, we need to make payroll savings of €300 million this year and €1 billion by 2015. The Government will reflect on the outcome of the ballot and consider how the required savings can be achieved this year. This is a time for calm reflection by all concerned. A saving of €300 million will have to be achieved and I am sure the method by which this will be done will be outlined in the coming weeks.

Senator Ivana Bacik, among other Senators, referred to the issue of symphysiotomy and the fact the Government had accepted a Bill last evening. Senator Mary Moran has raised this issue more than anyone else over a period of months. It was a good day for Ireland that the all-party Bill was accepted by the Government.

Senator Ivana Bacik also complimented the Constitutional Convention on its ongoing work. There were differences of opinion on the convention between Senators Rónán Mullen and David Cullinane, with the former expressing a lack of confidence and the latter expressing confidence in it.

Senator Jillian van Turnhout also welcomed acceptance of the Bill on symphysiotomy. She also noted the question of thalidomide and said the Government should engage with survivors. I think that issue is ongoing.

The issue of human trafficking was raised by Senators Jillian van Turnhout and Cáit Keane. I inform the House that the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) (Amendment) Bill 2013 will be brought before the House next Tuesday or Wednesday. There will, therefore, be ample opportunities for the House to discuss the many issues raised on the Order of Business, not only today but on previous occasions. Senator Jillian van Turnhout also welcomed the members designate of the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. I am sure we would all like to congratulate them.

We have heard Senator David Norris' views on austerity on a number of occasions and heard them again today. With Senator Catherine Noone, among others, he also raised the important issue of judicial independence. It is the firm view of the Government that the effective operation of the judicial system, of which an independent Judiciary is the cornerstone, is indispensable to the State and all citizens. The Government also recognises that legitimate issues of concern can arise from time to time that will require constructive discussion between the Judiciary and the Executive. Some issues have arisen from the significant programme of reform under way, including concerning the recent proposed amendments to the Constitution which are of relevance to the Judiciary. Government policy on many of these issues is on the public record. For example, the position on a reduction in judicial remuneration flows from the decision of the people in a referendum and is well known. In some cases, the Government has yet to reach a final decision on the precise proposals to be made. The proposed referendums on the abolition of the Seanad and the reform of the courts are two cases in point. I think everybody acknowledges that these issues require some engagement between the Executive and the Judiciary and perhaps new thinking also. There is ongoing and regular engagement, as appropriate, between the Government and the Judiciary. The contact takes place within the relevant constitutional parameters and is both formal and informal in nature, as confirmed by the Minister for Justice and Equality recently.