Seanad debates

Thursday, 25 June 2015

10:30 am

Photo of Maurice CumminsMaurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Moloney spoke about Clodagh Cogley, one of the people who were very badly injured in the accident in Berkeley. Her words on Facebook were inspirational. A wonderful and inspirational gentleman appeared on "The John Murray Show" this morning. He was injured after a dive at the Forty Foot many years ago and is in a wheelchair. His words were also inspirational in respect of Clodagh and those other young people who were injured. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families. Hopefully, they can make a significant, if not complete, recovery from the horrific injuries they suffered in Berkeley.

Senator Moloney also referred to the national strategy for suicide prevention. This is a very important strategy that brings all the agencies together to combat suicide. I assure the Senator that we will try to have a debate as soon as possible on that strategy. We have debated that issue on several occasions in the House and rightly so. It would be an apt time to have a further debate on that matter.

In response the points raised by Senators Quinn and Conway, we should all praise the Irish consul in San Francisco, Philip Grant, for his work in Berkeley. It highlights the importance of our diplomatic service abroad. It does a lot of work that goes unnoticed in many cases but when a situation like that in Berkeley arises, it shows its true colours. It does an excellent job in representing us and helping our people when required. We should all compliment the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on its efforts in this regard and indeed in areas throughout the world where we have diplomatic missions.

Senator Quinn also raised a point that was raised by Senator Bradford yesterday about older people being allowed to stay at home as long as possible. That is the policy of the Government but it is needs to be enforced to a greater degree. We need greater supports for people to allow them to remain at home rather than spend €1 billion on the fair deal scheme. It is necessary in many cases but I am sure that quite a number of the people who avail of fair deal would be happier in their own homes and could be facilitated to stay there. We must all aspire to this.

Senators Brennan and Walsh spoke about tourism. We have seen a significant increase in visitors. Certainly, the Government's decision to reduce VAT to 9% and abolish the travel tax has had a major impact on the increase in visitor figures. I note what Senator Walsh said about tourism and his argument that the Ancient East should be promoted significantly. I know that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is in Waterford today visiting a number of tourism spots. I have arranged for the Minister to come to the House next week to discuss the strategy for tourism for many years ahead. We will have an opportune time next week to discuss tourism.

Senators Wilson and Reilly spoke about the planned redundancies in Liberty Insurance. If they happen, it will certainly be a devastating blow to the communities and families involved. I will try to get the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to come to the House to outline IDA and Enterprise Ireland policies for balanced regional development, which have been developed over the past six months. I will try to get the Minister to come to the House before the recess if it is possible.Senator Martin Conway raised the whole question of small businesses and removing red tape, which the Government is doing its best to remove, and also EU directives and how quickly we transpose them into Irish law whereas other countries do not do so as quickly. I note his point in that regard and, hopefully, it is an issue on which the House will have a greater say in the future.

I do not propose to accept the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Gerard P Craughwell. We had a similar motion only a day or two ago.

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