Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Bacik and many other Members have condemned the violence which took place over the weekend. They commended the Tánaiste and Senator Zappone on the dignity they displayed then and since. What we have witnessed at the weekend and in several instances since was totally unacceptable. Oireachtas Members have a responsibility to act responsibly at all times. We did not witness that over the weekend. It is the duty of the Garda to ensure that we have peace and that people respect public order. The attacks, intimidation, bullying of gardaí, the targeting of them on social media and the threatening of them is totally unacceptable in this or any state and should be condemned by all. Every type of excuse should be thrown aside. The gardaí are the guardians of the peace and their actions must be given full support. We cannot tolerate the hijacking of peaceful protest that we have seen in recent days. No right-thinking people want to see these incidents repeated. I commend the 100,000 people who walked and protested a couple of weeks ago in peaceful protest but that was in marked contrast to what we witnessed in recent days.

Senator Mooney mentioned Marxist and Trotskyite protesters. They used to be called the Socialist Workers Party and Young Socialists and so on but many are now aligned to the Anti Austerity Alliance and other such alliances. The type of conduct we have witnessed from people latching onto these protests cannot and will not be tolerated in this State.

Senator Bacik also expressed regret at the decision of the Teacher’s Union of Ireland to strike. Other Senators also raised that matter. There is a need for all the industrial resolution mechanisms of the State to come into play with the teachers and with the prison service, on the issue that Senator Whelan raised. This should be done before Ministers intervene and I am sure the Ministers will intervene if necessary.

Senator Mullen and others spoke about water charges. The Government will clarify these tomorrow.

I am sure the vast majority of the people will accept what the Government proposes tomorrow. Senator Mullen also suggested that some judges have little or nothing to do and should be diverted elsewhere. I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Senator Naughton referred to the InterTradeIreland report and the positive indictors for Irish business. Senator O'Sullivan referred to peaceful protests being hijacked. He also outlined the fact Japanese knotweed is causing major damage to native Irish species. I will certainly bring that matter to the attention of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Senator Moran referred to the abuse targeted at public representatives. She also commended the strength and fortitude of Mairía Cahill, spoke about the need for answers from Sinn Féin on that matter and called for a debate. I will certainly try to organise a debate on that issue.

Senator Barrett spoke about the need for Mr. Draghi to answer many questions on the bailout. He raised points about the Garda Inspectorate's report, which other Senators addressed also. We will try to have a debate on that report in early course. Senator O'Neill spoke about the ISPCA and the need for funding to keep its offices in several areas open. Senators Zappone and Craughwell spoke about the Central Bank's proposed mortgage rules and mortgage insurance. I have invited the Minister for Finance to come to the House to debate that matter but have not yet received a reply, so I do not have a date for it.

Senator O'Keeffe said the Government is certainly listening to people on water charges and we will see the proposals tomorrow. She also called for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister of State, Deputy Coffey, to come to the House to debate this matter next week. I have already been in contact with the offices of both the Minister and the Minister of State and I hope we can have a debate on the Government's proposals next week. Senators Wilson and Gilroy spoke about the peaceful protest by 800 nurses and midwives against the increase in registration fees, a matter which has been raised in the House by a number of Senators over the past number of weeks. They called for the Minister for Health to intervene and I will certainly bring the matter to his attention.

Senator Mullins condemned the attack on a synagogue in Jerusalem and the deaths of four people and spoke of the need to redouble our efforts to reactivate the peace process in the Middle East. He called for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan, to come to the House to give us an update. The Minister will be in the House next Thursday to report on the Middle East, which he indicated he would do when we were called back during the summer recess. Senator Quinn referred to the question of PPS numbers and hopes he will be in a position to withdraw his Bill tomorrow. We will see what the Government's proposals are in that regard. I advise some Senators to take a leaf out of Senator Quinn's book. There are a number of motions and Bills on the Order Paper which are out of date and perhaps they might consider withdrawing them.

On the construction contracts Bill, the Minister of State, Deputy Nash, will be in the House tomorrow, at which time Senator Quinn can raise this issue.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of incitement and the need for An Garda Síochána to investigate that crime. He also called for time to reflect on the mortgage rules of the Central Bank.

Senator Coghlan spoke of the threat to democracy and the hijacking of peaceful protests, which was also raised by Senator Mooney. I agree with the Senators' sentiments in that regard. Senator Mooney also called for a debate on the Garda Inspectorate's report and the provision of greater resources for the Garda. I agree with him in that regard also.

Senators Brennan and Jim D'Arcy spoke about the protests in Dundalk last evening. Senator Brennan also spoke about the success of the Shannon Heritage Group which had a 12% increase in business this year, which augurs well for tourism figures into the future.

Senator Kelly called for a debate on wind energy. On the last occasion the Senator called for this debate, I raised the issue with the Minister, Deputy Alex White. However, I have not as yet received a response from the Minister. I will renew my efforts in that regard.

Senator Healy-Eames spoke about incentives from the UK to Irish SMEs. This is a matter which can be raised during the debate tomorrow with the Minister of State, Deputy Nash, on financing for SMEs.

Senator Bradford called for a debate on tax reform. I have asked the Minister for Finance to attend the House on that matter. However, I have not yet received a date in that regard.

Senator Michael D'Arcy condemned the violent protests, in some instances, last week at the GPO during the 1916 commemorations which were attended by the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and other Ministers. Senator Keane spoke about the success and benefits of An Cosan for Jobstown and Tallaght. It is a pity its graduation ceremony on Saturday was hijacked by people who had little interest in its work.

Senator Hayden called for a debate on second-chance education and on the private rented sector. Senator Bradford also advised us that we should learn from our mistakes. I am sure the Government and all other people will learn from their mistakes. The Senator also spoke about the dangers of mob rule. Senator Michael D'Arcy also condemned the unsavoury incidences witnessed in this regard.