Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator very much and I appreciate that.

Senators Bacik and O'Sullivan and several others raised the same matter. I take Senator O'Sullivan's point on the timing of the statement that was made. It was ill advised at a time before any legislation had been passed through this House. I have relayed those points and agree with Members who said the statement yesterday was ill advised and badly timed.

Senators Bacik and van Turnhout referred to the Magdalen institutions scheme, as did Senator O'Sullivan. It was stated the religious order should make a contribution. It was pointed out by Senator van Turnhout that the debate on this item was adjourned. I will try to have it resumed as soon as possible.

Senator van Turnhout and other Members made points on Dáil reform and the costs involved. I am sure it will arise in the debate on whether the Seanad should be retained. Senators Barrett, Ó Domhnaill and Ó Murchú called for a debate on Northern Ireland. I will try to arrange to have one, possibly before we finish for the summer.

With regard to the request to have representatives of the Orange Order before the House again, I am not so sure it would be a good idea at this point. As I said to the representatives who were present, the order should engage in meaningful discussions, now more than ever before, with communities and the Parades Commission. That would certainly assist in addressing the violence that has been escalating for a number of days in Northern Ireland and which we do not want to see again. The Orange Order has a very strong part to play in reconciliation. I encourage it to engage with the communities and the Parades Commission in coming to agreement on current and future parades.

Senators Keane and Comiskey referred to the higher education grant scheme. Certainly, problems arose with the scheme last year and this year. The Minister has acknowledged that there were problems. It is now time to sort them out, because we cannot have a recurrence of what happened last year. I refer to the problems encountered by parents and students in respect of the scheme. We all acknowledge that teething problems occur when new schemes are put in place, but they should be sorted out at this stage. The officials should have learned from their mistakes, and I hope that is the case.

Senator O'Donovan referred to the horsemeat scandal, the House of Commons committee and its targeting of Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This is a very serious matter. I am sure it will be addressed and that the allegations will be rebutted vehemently by the Minister, Deputy Coveney. I am sure he will make a remark on the matter in due course.

I noted Senator O'Donovan's comment on mackerel quotas and the abuse of fishing rights by the Faroe Islands and Iceland. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, supported the United Kingdom, France and Spain yesterday at a meeting of the Council of Ministers and pushed strongly to have trade restrictions imposed immediately by the European Commission against Iceland and the Faroe Islands as a result of the continuous, unacceptable and irresponsible fishing of mackerel. We all realise that the Minister has been calling for the implementation of trade measures for over 12 months. He actually mentioned this in the House when last speaking about fisheries. I hope that the European Commission will agree to proceed to implement the measures and that there will be action rather than words at this stage. We have waited long enough for the Faroe Islands and Iceland to comply with regulations regarding overfishing. Since they have not complied, sanctions should be imposed on them.

Senators Harte and Gilroy referred to mental health issues. I have addressed this.

Senator Harte implied that €40,000 per Senator per year was being spent on IT. I do not know where this figure came from. If we are paying that much for IT services, we should find a different provider. IT services could be provided for a hell of a lot less than €40,000 per Member. There is a need for the Accounting Officer to consider this if it is the case.

Senator Norris referred to casinos. I understand the legislation on casinos will be published soon. The legislation mentioned in the newspapers today is probably to regulate private cards clubs around the country. These are really glorified casinos that have been operating outside the law for a number of years. I would welcome the regulation of that sector. Another Bill will be required to deal with online gambling. I refer to the Betting (Amendment) Bill. We will have ample time to discuss these matters in the coming months.

Senators Clune and Noone called for an informed debate on the content and use of information held by social media sites. Their point was very relevant and I will ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, to update us on the matter. Perhaps we could also obtain a comment from the data protection officer.

Senators Cullinane, Landy and Ó Murchú mentioned the Waterford Crystal workers. As found by the European Court of Justice, the State failed the workers. There is no question about it; it has been proven. Like Senator David Cullinane, I made contact with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, on the matter. I understand from their responses that their advice is that the court proceedings must be allowed to take their course. There is no doubt that the workers have been waiting far too long to be compensated. They deserve to be and will be compensated. Senator Cullinane is calling for justice to be done and I assure him that I will be pushing not only for justice to be seen to be done but for it to be done. I fully support the efforts of Waterford Crystal workers to have their rights vindicated in this regard.

Senator Landy welcomed the recommencement of Garda recruitment, a point raised by Senator Wilson yesterday on the Order of Business. Senator Noone referred to the healthy eating initiatives and the differences in VAT charges for various foodstuffs. We can raise this during the debate.

We have commented on the matter raised by Senator O'Sullivan. I take his point on the timing of the statement made yesterday on the Seanad Bill. Senator Gilroy referred to mental health services. The House has decided that the next Seanad Public Consultation Committee will deal with adult mental health.

That is another reason for us to discuss the matter in the House. I am sure the debate will be well informed by people involved in the mental health sector who have focused on the issue of adult mental health. We will have an opportunity to discuss the matter in the House.

I think I have answered Senator Ó Domhnaill's query on Northern Ireland. We will debate Report Stage of the Bill on Seanad abolition tomorrow.

Senator Conway raised the issue of litter on beaches. He is right. There is nothing as bad as seeing litter scattered all over a beach at the end of a day. I wish to take the opportunity to compliment all of the local authority workers on the excellent job they do to clean up beaches on a daily basis. People must take responsibility and bring home their rubbish. Recently I heard it mentioned on a programme that Abbeyshrule, one of the cleanest villages in the country, has no litter bins because its inhabitants believe that people should bring home their litter. That initiative has proved successful in Abbeyshrule, so it should succeed in every part of the country.