Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator O'Brien has taken the words out of my mouth. As it happens, I had spoken to colleagues on foot of what she said. It is a matter for the Taoiseach, if he meets Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, next week, to extend sympathies on behalf of the Irish State to the family. The Senator is quite correct in saying that would be entirely appropriate. I do not know if anyone here knows the itinerary or if the Taoiseach is due to meet Prince Charles and his wife, but it would be appropriate to extend sympathies if he does. It is a sign of immense progress in the peace process that we are having this visit next week. It is very positive for Ireland, Sligo and the peace process more generally. I very much welcome that.

Senator Craughwell asked for a debate on the schools building programme, which has been successful. The Government has made a significant investment in upgrading school buildings nationwide, as the Senator will be aware. He also reiterated the need for a debate on the health service. I had the pleasure of meeting his beautiful granddaughter this week and extend my congratulations to him on recently becoming a grandfather.

Senator Wilson offered his sympathies on the death of Derek Davis. He also referred to reports in newspapers of the cuts to the budget of the Accord marriage counselling agency. Very full statements were made in the Dáil on this matter yesterday. I understand the cut was made not by the Government but by Tusla which, as colleagues will be aware, is an independent agency. The decision was made by the board of Tusla. I understand Accord will still get €1.6 million a year and funding for other agencies has been cut.

If colleagues read the newspapers today, they will have noted a statement by the chief executive of Barnardos, an organisations which, as it happens, supported the marriage equality referendum and has had its budget cut significantly. Deputy Rabbitte spoke in the Dáil yesterday about a significant loss of funding for a shelter in his constituency for women and children suffering from domestic violence. Other Deputies and Senators have spoken of cutbacks to other services in their areas which have nothing to do with any issue around the referendum. There is an issue in terms of funding from Tusla and whether it has sufficient funding for agencies.