Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I also point out to Senators Wilson and Ó Domhnaill, who both raised the issue, that it is not the Government that is promoting marriage equality, rather that all major political parties, including Fianna Fáil, are supportive of it and are actively campaigning, including in my area, in support of the referendum on marriage equality. It is important to say that this is not something that is owned by the Government. It is a referendum for the people and is being supported by parties across the Government and Opposition divide.

Senator Mullen referred to the issue of funding, with which I have dealt. He also referred to Atlantic Philanthropies. I want to put on the record the large amount of funding it has provided to the university sector across Ireland, of which most people will be conscious. I profoundly disagree with the Senator's comments on the referendum, just as I disagreed with his comments when he opposed civil partnership legislation in this House under the previous Government. He also raised the issue of teaching in schools if the marriage equality referendum is passed. I refer him to the comments of the chair of the Referendum Commission, Mr. Justice Kevin Cross, on Newstalk radio on Wednesday. He said if the referendum is passed, a school teaching religious doctrine will still be able to teach in accordance with religious doctrine in terms of marriage, just as they can teach that marriage is for life and even if people have a civil divorce, that is not recognised by the church. The divorce referendum did not change the status of marriage teaching in religious schools.

Senator Reilly referred to health and raised an important point on the nature and type of debate we have with the Minister for Health. We used to have debates where there were questions to the Minister, and I will speak to the Leader about trying to ensure better interaction between Senators and Ministers. There was concern when we had a question-and-answer format that we did not have enough time to speak, but I will consider how we can improve.

Senator Byrne referred to the mortgage arrears package, which I have dealt with, and we will debate any comments made by any Minister on previous legislation when we debate the new legislation which will come to the House as part of the package agreed by the Government.

Senator Heffernan referred to the earthquake in Nepal. The Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, announced on 27 April that, on foot of the first tragic earthquake, €1 million would be made available in humanitarian funding through the Irish Aid programme. The money has been made available and I have an up-to-date statement on it. Some 63 tonnes of life-saving humanitarian supplies have been made available to Nepal through Ireland's rapid response initiative and a highly skilled member of our rapid response corps has been deployed to Kathmandu to work with UNICEF. Following the second earthquake, these efforts will continue through Irish Aid and NGO partners.

The Senator also referred to the N20 and the road between Limerick and Cork. I would like to inform him that another Senator had a Commencement matter on this issue today and there is a reply from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on the table in the anteroom. He may wish to read it for his answer on the issue.

Senator Ó Domhnaill referred to social housing and noted the major investment in social housing announced by the Minister, Deputy Kelly, for the first time in many years. It is very welcome and I am happy to look for a debate. Senator Hayden also called for such a debate.

I believe I have answered all the questions asked by Senators, including those asked by Senators who did not have the courtesy to stay in the Chamber or to inform me that they had to leave. I thank those Senators who told me they were leaving and who apologised. I also thank the Senators who took the time to remain in the Chamber. As the Leader has said many times, some people remain to hear the replies and others come in when it is time to speak and then leave without saying anything to the Leader. In my view, at a certain point the Leader will have to decide to stop responding to those who have left the Chamber.