Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Bacik made several comments, as did many other Senators, on the budget. Senator Bacik also welcomed the fact the Irish ambassador to Britain, a Waterford man like John O'Shea, who was also mentioned, will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph this year. She called for a debate on commemorations. The debate on commemorations, and 1916 in particular, was also mentioned by Senators Ó Murchú, O'Sullivan, Walsh and several others. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, gave a commitment last week that she would come to the House in early course, and we have it pencilled down for the middle of November. I hope the Minister will come to the House and we can have a comprehensive debate on 1916 and the decade of commemorations.

Senator Barrett spoke about the need for reform, and that reform must continue. He also spoke about the importance of fostering continued good relations between Ireland and the UK.

Senator Leyden welcomed the increased Garda numbers and the fact the Garda fleet will be increased by more than 400 vehicles, a matter raised by many Members of the House in recent months. I am very pleased we are now in a position to have more recruitment in the Garda and Army and that more than 400 vehicles will be provided.

Senator Hayden spoke about funding for homelessness and the €2.2 billion proposed for social housing, which is certainly badly needed. Social housing has been neglected for the past ten years and we see the situation now. I hope this massive injection of capital into social housing will ease the problems for so many on the housing lists at present. Senator Hayden also called for a debate on the private rental sector and the consultation process on the Central Bank proposals on mortgages.

Senator Norris spoke about overseas aid. As a percentage it has decreased, but the Government has allocated more than €600 million for overseas development aid. The level of funding will enable Ireland to continue to play a critical role in some of the most pressing humanitarian crises witnessed for many generations. The Government has also provided €14 million this year for victims of the appalling conflict in Syria and the region. We provide €10 million annually to support the Palestinian people and made a commitment at the international conference in Cairo for an additional €2.5 million for the reconstruction of Gaza. Through the Irish Aid programme and our funding for NGOs working in west Africa, we provide more than €16 million in assistance to Sierra Leone and Liberia. Much of this funding is focused on strengthening health systems and is also helping to fight Ebola. Our record is good. Obviously we would like it to be better, but Ireland contributes significantly to overseas aid.

That is recognised by all the countries that are assisted through Irish efforts.

Senator Mac Conghail also mentioned the commemoration of 1916. As I stated, I hope we will have that debate in the middle of November. He also welcomed the proposals for social housing and the significant amount of funding proposed for social housing. There is a €4 million package under the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht to roll out an integrated plan to commemorate 1916, as has been mentioned, and funding for current expenditure for the arts has increased for the first time in six years. Financial support for the national cultural institutions has been protected following many difficult years of cutbacks, which were mentioned in the arts debate in the House last week. The Minister for Finance has also committed to exploring measures to boost the film and television sector. An important point in relation to the arts, which has been mentioned here as well, is that the artist's tax exemption is being increased by €10,000, from €40,000 to €50,000, and this has been welcomed by the arts community.

Senator Cullinane raised the policies of the Government on taxation and other issues. He thanked me for the Government adopting some of the Sinn Féin policies last evening, but that has obviously changed there. Our policy to introduce an 8% rate of universal social charge for those earning more than €70,000 was welcomed by Sinn Féin in some quarters, but its members changed their minds overnight. These things happen from time to time. I am looking, in that wonderful booklet that was produced by Sinn Féin last week, at that party's proposal to increase employers' PRSI to 15.75%, which without question would be a tax on jobs. In the context of the Sinn Féin plan for Irish Water, Senator Cullinane asked for a debate. I stated yesterday that I would try to get the Minister in. I have asked the Minister and he has agreed that he will come in as soon as there is a date in his diary to come in, but he will not be able to come in today, as has been requested. The Sinn Féin plan for Irish Water would suggest that it would be no longer classified as an off-balance sheet effort and the €550 million hole is the equivalent of the entire property tax yield, which is a red letter issue for that party. Its proposals do not add up. That is the position.

On education, an issue Sinn Féin Members have raised in the House on several occasions, Sinn Féin forgot to allow for the increased funding to maintain the current pupil-teacher ratio. Sinn Féin's budget proposals would increase the pupil-teacher ratio from 28:1 to 30:1, which is a significant increase. Its members should tell the teachers to whom they have been promising everything over recent years what their proposals would mean.