Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator MacSharry tabled an amendment concerning the proximity of Committee Stage and Second Stage of the Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013, the next item we are due to discuss. The Bill was published last week and the matter was agreed by the leaders. Fianna Fáil has tabled a substantial number of amendments so I will not be accepting the amendment to the Order of Business.

With regard to the point on the Central Bank, I do not know what it will publish this morning. I have not read about the announcement. We have a mortgage arrears resolution process in place and the Central Bank has set targets for banks. As the Senator knows, there are sanctions if any bank does not meet those targets. Consequently, we will not be accepting the amendment in this regard either.

I am not sure about the position on the comments regarding budget 2015 and the Tánaiste. I am aware that the Tánaiste made comments. I am sure all the detail will be revealed this time next year when the budget is announced.

Senators Hayden and Barrett acknowledged the fast action of the Garda and Police Service of Northern Ireland in locating the Roscommon family. I agree with them. The fast action is a credit to the police services and to the Child Rescue Ireland, CRI, alert system. Through the media this morning, the Garda asked that the privacy of the family in question be respected. It was refreshing to see how quickly the Garda acted in conjunction with the Police Service of Northern Ireland to resolve the issue.

Senator Hayden raised the issue of homelessness services and called for a debate on the matter, as did Senator Cáit Keane. The Leader has said he desires the Minister to come to the House to debate the matter. However, due to the heavy legislative programme over the next three weeks, it is unlikely that the debate will occur this side of Christmas. The Leader is acting on it.

Senators Hayden and Mary Ann O'Brien referred to the charity sector. I will pass on their comments to the Leader and ask that the relevant Minister come to the House to discuss the regulation of charities so the public can be confident money donated to charitable organisations is used in the best interest of the recipients and service users. This is a very important point to make. The Seanad could play a very useful role in this area.

Senator Zappone and others referred to the use of the AV room. The Leas-Chathaoirleach has outlined it is an organisational matter for the Houses and the Seanad CPP. I hope it has been made clear to Senator Zappone as to how she can move forward in that area.

The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013, which is to be debated in the Dáil next week, will come to this House in due course.

Senators Jim D'Arcy and O'Sullivan referred to junior certificate reform. Both welcomed the fact that teachers' concerns are to be addressed in this matter. That was an important statement that the Minister made this morning and it is to be welcomed that there are major changes. We have had numerous debates in this House on the junior cycle and its proposed reform. I take the point that it will not proceed or be successful without teachers.

Senator Norris complimented Pope Francis, implying he is a man of vision. The Senator asked that we have a debate on the Pope's important document. I will make the Leader aware of the Senator's comments.

Senator Lorraine Higgins raised the issue of the burglary in Tipperary last week. She called for a debate with the Minister for Justice and Equality. I am not sure when we will have the Minister in the House again. From my recollection of the description of the event, the fast action of the Garda is to be commended in thwarting the would-be burglars in their actions.

It was requested that the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, come to the House to discuss investigations into disability grants and the disability pension. She will be in the House shortly to discuss a different issue. Perhaps the matter is one for an Adjournment debate. It is a matter for the Cathaoirleach to decide on.

Senator Conway called for a debate on the legislation on the university panel that is due to be published and referred to having an input into it. The point he makes about creating an online voter system for the blind and visually impaired is welcome and worth discussing. I am sure he will bring that to the attention of the Minister when the Bill is being discussed.

Senator Barrett referred to the regulation of accountants and the Companies (Amendment) Bill. It was discussed yesterday with the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock. Today we are to discuss occupational pensions. I am not sure whether the Minister will have an opportunity to address concerns in this regard during the debate today. Perhaps we need to have an ongoing debate on pensions because the position on pension schemes is very serious for many people.

Senator Susan O'Keeffe referred to the chief inspector's report and called for a discussion in the House. I support the call and will bring it to the attention of the Leader. The Minister for Education and Skills announced patronage for nine new schools. It has been a very worthwhile exercise by the Minister. I refer to his having consulted parents and to their having been in a position to respond in their own localities as to the kind of ethos the proposed schools should have.

Senator Diarmuid Wilson also mentioned that issue. In my area there will be two new schools in Carrigaline, one under the patronage of the Edmund Rice Education Trust and the other, Educate Together. This will add to diversification in the area and parents genuinely will have a choice. It will continue what is a worthwhile exercise, the most important element of which is that it is inclusive. Like Senator Diarmuid Wilson, I hope the Minister will move forward and that the nine schools will be delivered at an early stage.

Senators Mary White, Feargal Quinn and Cáit Keane raised their concerns about the Russian adoptions crisis, about which the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, spoke when she was in the House yesterday. She is still working with the Attorney General to try to find a resolution. Having spoken to her, I can assure Senators that not only is her heart in the right place, but she is also determined to find a solution. The comments of Senators this morning will be passed to her.

Senator Terry Brennan referred to the threatened action in the ESB. I hope it will not come to this. Management and the unions are meeting today and we should give them space, as it is important that they are meeting and sitting down together. I hope there will be a resolution to the issue. I wish them well and hope for a positive outcome.

In response to Senator Feargal Quinn, I remember well the interesting debate on food waste that took place two years ago. It is probably a debate we should continue. Perhaps the Senator might do so in the form of a Private Members' motion. I will bring back his comments to the Leader who I am sure will be in discussions with the Senator on how we should proceed. It is one thing recognising that there is waste, finding a solution to the problem is another. As the Senator mentioned, we cannot feed much of the waste to animals because of changing regulations. I had heard about the food cloud. It is innovative and I wish those involved well with it. It is an important issue.

Senator Cáit Keane was concerned about the level of homelessness. I hope we will have a debate on that issue.

Senator Michael Mullins sought a debate on the issue of health promotion and quoted the findings of a survey. The level of obesity is a significant issue. The Senator was speaking about adults, but the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, launched a report, Growing up in Ireland, in which the level of obesity among children was highlighted. The cure is prevention. This is an important month, "Movember", and I note Senator Diarmuid Wilson is supporting the initiative which is also about prevention and raising awareness.

Senator Mary Ann O'Brien was concerned about the charity sector. I will bring her comments back to the relevant Minister and hope we will have a debate on it.

On Senator David Cullinane's comments on job creation, this has been a positive week. In fact, 58,000 new jobs have been created in the past year. Like the Senator, I am a member of the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation which has looked at the problems being encountered in the south east, about which he is particularly concerned. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, will shortly produce the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 which, no doubt, he will be willing to come here to discuss at some stage and hear the views of Senators.