Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The acting Leader of the Opposition, Senator Marc MacSharry, raised the question of youth unemployment and mentioned the visit of the Taoiseach and the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, to Strasbourg today. It is very important that we get our share of the funding voted through by the European Parliament. The matter was raised by Senator Diarmuid Wilson and others and we all wish the Taoiseach and the Minister well in their deliberations and negotiations on the funding to tackle youth unemployment.

On the issue of mortgage arrears, this is a matter which has been raised by a number of Senators. On a number of occasions I have made a request for the relevant Minister to come to the House to discuss it, but I have not yet received a positive reaction from the Department. I will continue to seek the attendance of a Minister to discuss the issue, but all I can do is ask. I will do my best to push it again and arrange for a Minister to come to the House to discuss the issues of the code of conduct, banking and mortgage arrears, as requested by a number of Senators.

Senators Ivana Bacik, David Norris, Catherine Noone and the Cathaoirleach have all expressed good wishes to Emily O'Reilly on becoming European Ombudsman. We all wish her every success in her new position.

I note the points made by Senator David Norris on the whistleblower legislation. Yesterday the issue of asylum for Mr. Edward Snowden was raised. The position is that asylum applications are not generally accepted from persons resident or present in other countries as our refugee status determination process is based on applications for asylum being made within the Irish jurisdiction. Asylum applications made at Irish embassies abroad are not accepted. Therefore, I do not propose to accept the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by the Senator.

The Senator also mentioned the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications on the issue of alcohol sponsorship. This matter has been raised by a number of Senators. The Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, indicated he would come to the House when the committee's report was published and I am sure we can arrange a debate on the issue soon.

Senator Michael Mullins raised an issue which has been submitted as an Adjournment matter regarding the use of sunbeds and the need for legislation. Senator John Crown has also raised this matter. Perhaps after the Adjournment debate we might know more about what the Government intends to do in that regard and might then address the matter.

Senator Mary M. White proposed an amendment to the Order of Business to allow her Bill on parental leave to be published. I have no problem in that regard and will agree to her amendment to the Order of Business.

Senator Cáit Keane raised the issue of the national mapping of broadband and the identification of black spots. This is a matter Senator Ned O'Sullivan raised in connection to mobile phones. There is certainly a need to act on and address this issue. If necessary, we will ask for the relevant Minister to come to the House to update us on it.

Senator David Cullinane referred to the HSE's report on neglected children. This issue was raised by a number of Senators yesterday when I responded on it. The Government is acutely aware of the neglect for decades of Irish children and has sought to take real action to address the serious inadequacies in the care system. It is only an initial report. It is on phase one of the audit and there is a lot more to be done in that regard. Everybody must realise the Government is very serious about the matter. A new model for family based multi-agency assessment and early intervention has already been trialled in two regions and is being mainstreamed in the establishment of the new child and family agency. Last summer, after the report was completed, HIQA published inspection standards for the HSE's child welfare and protection services.

The Children First guidelines have been updated and it is intended to make them statutory. The referendum on children was passed. These are positive actions in the area, but we must continue to be vigilant where the care of children is concerned. I note Senator Cullinane's points. Senator Harte asked for a debate on the future of retail banking in rural Ireland in particular. I have requested the Minister for Finance to come to the House to debate that issue. A debate on the post office network will be held tomorrow and some of the issues can be discussed then. Senator Leyden asked for a debate on volunteerism. We had that debate previously but I will see what can be arranged. He lauded Castlecoote on its success, as did Senator Kelly, who also referred to tourism in Roscommon. Many Senators praised their own towns, and rightly so. Some of them will probably be auditioning for jobs in Fáilte Ireland if anything should ever happen to the Seanad.