Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Darragh O'Brien, and many other Members condemned the attacks on the President and indeed the Office of President. The President is the Head of State of the country and such attacks are absolutely reprehensible and should be condemned. I am pleased we have had condemnation from across the political divide here this afternoon. People also condemned the attack on the constituency office of Deputy Mulherin. They pointed out that anarchy is not too far from the surface in many cases and we need to look at that situation very seriously.

Senators Darragh O'Brien and Cullinane spoke about the proposed sale of Aer Lingus. I did my best yesterday to get the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to come here for half an hour in his busy schedule. The Minister will come in for half an hour and explain the situation today. I am sure we will have many opportunities in the future to discuss the matter. However, since there was such urgency about it, I felt we could have a very brief debate during which the Minister can outline the current situation. I am sure we will have debates on the issue in the coming weeks and months. For that reason I cannot accept the amendment to the Order of Business as proposed by Senator Darragh O'Brien.

Senator Bacik and many other Members spoke about the Central Bank regulations and restrictions. I understand that legislation will be introduced and we can arrange a debate on the issue. I do not know about it costing €220,000 to buy a birds' nest - birds must have very expensive tastes in Dublin. As Senator Paul Coghlan said, €220,000, in Dublin figures, is quite small to purchase a home. I note Members' points on that.

Senator Bacik also spoke about the debate on mother and baby homes. I know that people wanted to contribute, but they were not in the House when that debate was brought to a conclusion yesterday. I understand that another amended motion may be coming, which would afford Members the opportunity to discuss that matter again.

I note Senator Norris's points on the cancellation of a talk on homophobic bullying in a school in Dublin. I also note his comments that the McKenna judgment should be discussed again in the House.

Senators Landy and Kelly spoke about nursing homes and general practitioners not being allowed to take on more patients. Senator Kelly spoke about the eleven week delay in accessing the fair deal scheme. We had a fairly comprehensive debate on that and on the Health Service Executive plan which the Minister for Health was here to discuss. We will invite him to come in again if necessary. A total of €25 million extra was provided for the fair deal scheme. I hope that delay will be significantly reduced this year.

Senator Ó Murchú deplored the attacks on Deputy Mulherin’s constituency office and on the President. Senator Colm Burke spoke about the need for greater incentives for first-time house buyers. We can have that debate when the Central Bank regulations legislation comes before the House. The Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coffey, has indicated that he will come in to speak about the housing strategy.

Senator Cullinane spoke on the motion on the proposed Commission of Investigation into certain matters relating to the Cavan-Monaghan division of the Garda Síochána but the Cathaoirleach has ruled on that. It is to be taken without debate. Senator Whelan commended the Taoiseach on meeting with insolvency practitioners and outlined the serious situation which many homeowners will face in the coming year. In addition to condemning attacks on the President and Deputy Mulherin Senator Wilson called for the Minister for Education and Science to come in to outline progress on the junior certificate. I know that the Minister has dealt with that topic in the other House. We will invite her to come in again to debate it. We did have a debate on the subject recently but I understand the Senator is asking for an update on it.

Senator Craughwell spoke about union recognition for the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA. It is an excellent representative association and he is right in pointing out that many members of the Defence Forces are on low pay and in receipt of payments from the Department of Social Protection. I have the utmost respect for all the members of our Defence Forces. They carry out their duties in an exemplary manner on all occasions and I will ask the Minister for Defence to come in to have a debate on Irish defence policy soon. I note Senator Craughwell’s points on medical cards too and hospital bills. That is a matter he could raise as a Commencement Matter or directly with the Minister.

Senators Gilroy and Mooney spoke about how precious our democracy is, saying that we need to protect it. Senator Mooney also spoke about the need to ensure that land that is zoned for housing is built on urgently, especially in Dublin. Senator Naughten praised the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for providing €17.5 million for sustainable transport initiatives in various areas around the country.

Senator Healy Eames asked for a debate on the Euro Health Consumer Index but we had a debate on the Health Service Executive plan for 2015. I am sure that Senator Healy Eames raised her points during that debate. Senators Eamonn Coghlan and Noone commended the president of the Irish Primary Principals Network on highlighting the need for two hours physical education, PE, per week in primary schools. As Senator Coughlan pointed out, there is a lack of progress on his proposed policies which were debated in this House some years ago. Obesity and the lack of exercise for schoolchildren is a ticking bomb. I will ask the Minister to come in here for a further debate on that issue.

Senator Bradford called for a debate on housing strategy and regional planning, which I hope to have in early course. Senator Mullins spoke on the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO’s, acceptance of the recent salary scales. I understand the HSE will shortly advertise the 200 consultant vacancies, which is welcome news and will assist in reducing waiting lists and other problems in the health service. Senator White reiterated her comments of last week on child poverty and lone parents and urged that the Central Statistics Office, CSO, report on income and living conditions be highlighted and that we have a debate on it. Senators O’Sullivan and Heffernan spoke about post offices. The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources was here yesterday discussing that matter. There is no doubt that post offices are of paramount importance to communities and towns throughout the country. The Minister pointed out that there have been only five closures in the past 12 months. There were 170 in the four years prior to this Government’s taking office. Everybody has welcomed the setting up of the review group to improve the post office network. It should be given a chance. Hopefully it can make progress. It is important that people support their local post offices. Many give lip service to supporting post offices but do not do so themselves.

We join Senator Brennan in wishing our colleague Senator Harte every success and a speedy recovery.