Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Most Members generously welcomed our new Senator, Hildegarde Naughton. I should have referred to her appointment at the beginning of my response. It is a proud day for her, her family and party. I am sure she will do an excellent job, as she has done on the local authority, as Mayor of Galway and during her years as a representative of the people of Galway. I am sure she will be a tremendous asset to the House.

I note Senator Aideen Hayden's comments about the referendum on same-sex marriage. I can inform her that an invitation has been issued to the chairman of the Constitutional Convention to report to this House on the convention's work to date. I hope that invitation will be accepted and that Mr. Arnold will address the House in the autumn.

Senator Sean D. Barrett referred to a newspaper article on parliamentary accountability. I note the points he made in that regard.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan and other Senators have referred to the 11 drownings that have occurred in recent weeks. He has said there is a need for a change of attitude to prevent such appalling tragedies. I compliment Irish Water Safety which does tremendous work. Senators Pat O'Neill and Martin Conway have asked for water safety to be included in the school curriculum. That valid point was made by Senator Feargal Quinn and other Senators a number of weeks ago. I extend my own condolences and those of the House to the families of those who drowned in recent times and all others who have been bereaved by these events.

Senator David Cullinane also raised Ashoka Mody's claim that we should ease up on austerity. This is the policy the Government has been pursuing for some time. When the Government was formed, we determined that the route to recovery could not be by budgetary consolidation alone and that we also needed a strategy for job creation and growth. We introduced a stimulus package which was announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin; a strategic investment fund of €6 billion from the National Pensions Reserve Fund; the Action Plan for Jobs which the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, has been advancing, and the Pathways to Work scheme, on which the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, has taken a lead. We derived a dividend of approximately €1 billion from the deal we negotiated on the promissory notes. As a result of this careful negotiation, the Government will assess, as part of the budget process in September and October, how to deploy this saving. The negativity of Sinn Féin is hammered through at every possible opportunity, as we heard again this morning.

Senators Mary Moran and Terry Brennan referred to the St. John of God services at St. Mary's, Drumcar. I am pleased Senator Mary Moran will raise the issue on the Adjournment. She also noted the large amount of money allocated to service providers. Perhaps this money should be provided directly to those who need it rather than the service providers. I am sure this option will be considered by the Minister.

I do not agree with Senator Rónán Mullen's remarks which I treat with the contempt they deserve.

Senator Cáit Keane called for a debate on child care. I will ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, to come before the House.

I note the comments Senator Fidelma Healy Eames made last week about Down's syndrome. I brought the issue to the attention of the Minister for Health and it is a matter for him to decide whether he wishes to make a statement on the issue in the coming days.

I welcome Senator Thomas Byrne's constructive comments. I am willing to discuss time limits on legislation or sections of Bills and any other issue that would improve the workings of the House. I assure the Senator that I will work with all sides in that regard.

Senator Mary Ann O'Brien referred to the abuse of the Internet, especially in respect of pornographic images. I will ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, to come to the House to address the issue in the autumn session.

Senator Lorraine Higgins referred to the fees paid by doctors when prescribing methadone. I suggest the Senator raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh raised the issue of traffic in Galway. As I stated previously, this is a matter for the local authority, although I am sure the Government will respond with funding when suitable projects are proposed.

Senator Catherine Noone referred to European Union proposals on banking card fees. The proposals are to be welcomed.

Senator Michael Mullins welcomed the energy efficiency measures announced by the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, which will benefit the tenants of more than 5,000 local authority homes. These measures are to be welcomed.

I assure Senator Marc MacSharry that the full rigour of the law should fall on any person who assisted in bringing down the State, especially in the banking sector.

Like Senator Colm Burke, I welcome the statement issued by the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists on some of the matters raised in the House last week.

Senator James Heffernan complimented the efforts of the London football team. I wish the Senator's home county of Limerick every success in the all-Ireland hurling championship.

I note the comments of Senator Ó Murchú on the Orange Order and we will assist in any way we can on that. However, I renew my call to the Orange Order to enter into meaningful discussions with the Parades Commission and the communities in Northern Ireland. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Tánaiste.

Senator D'Arcy raised the issue of the Syrian conflict and the deployment of Irish troops. This issue was discussed in the other House, but I am not sure we will be able to get the Minister for Defence to come into the House in the next number of days to discuss the issue. I will make inquiries of him in that regard.

Senator O'Sullivan mentioned the excellent voice of our new Senator. Whatever about a duet, I can assure the Senator we will be singing off the same hymn sheet.