Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Bacik and Keane referred to crime statistics. Senator Keane inquired about the possibility of having a debate on the greater use of technology, in which could be included the issue of maternity leave for gardaí. I will try to arrange for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come before the House to debate these matters in early course.

Senator Bacik welcomed the fact that the the unemployment rate has fallen to 9.7%. I am sure that fact will be welcomed by all Senators.

I have been passed the information that Senator Norris provided in respect of the Palestinian village of Sousia. I will certainly raise the matter in question with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Senator Naughton referred to the 26-bed hospice care unit that is planned for Galway and the fact that public investment will be needed in order to supplement the capital funds being raised by those involved with the project. The position is the same in Waterford, where construction on a major palliative care centre is due to begin later in the year. Some €6 million is going to be provided for the latter project by means of fund-raising by the public. The amounts involved are very large in the context of public fund-raising.It has been done there but I am sure it will be done in Galway. I stress the need for further Government funding for the hospice and palliative care services.

Senators O'Donovan and Mullins raised the issue of cattle rustling and the devastating blow to the Dillon family. This is a serious matter and, as has been stated, there is further need for North-South police co-operation to address the question of paramilitary involvement and money being siphoned off for paramilitaries and others as a result of these acts over the past number of months. The issue will have to be debated. The only time we heard about cattle rustling in the past related to the Wild West but it seems to be like the Wild West here at the moment because there is little control as regards policing on both sides of the Border. While there is co-operation, there is a need for further action and legislation, if necessary, to curb these acts.

Senator Jim D'Arcy put the number of questions that he received from the people of Haggardstown. They were salient questions, which Senator Cullinane did not proceed to answer.

Senators Mooney, Cullinane, Coghlan, Bradford and others raised the issue of Greece. There is no question that we must have empathy with the Greek people when we see elderly pensioners queuing outside boarded up banks and clutching their deposit books wondering whether they will have access to their money or will be able to put food on the table. This is a serious situation for the Greek people, which can be averted if the Greek Government decides to return to talks on how to keep Greece in the eurozone by agreeing a new support programme. There were signs of economic recovery in Greece in 2014 with a small increase in GDP, falling unemployment and the regaining of access to financial markets but they have gone. There cannot be jobs and investment without economic stability and, similarly, there cannot be economic stability without political stability, which is obviously not there either. Yesterday, the Taoiseach wrote to the Greek Minister and outlined Ireland's support for the objective of a sustainable and mutually beneficial agreement acceptable to all concerned, which will return Greece to growth within the eurozone. The Taoiseach stated that it had been very much his hope that, in line with the approach agreed, an agreement would have been achieved at the Eurogroup meeting on 27 June on the basis of negotiations between the Greek Government and the institutions but, unfortunately, the decision of the Greek Prime Minister to unilaterally break off these negotiations meant agreement could not be reached at that time. The Government continues to urge a return to negotiations as quickly as possible and the Taoiseach reiterated to the Greek Prime Minister that Ireland, along with the rest of the eurozone, remains open to dialogue in a spirit of solidarity and responsibility. There is a need, even at this stage, for the Greek Government to return to the table and to negotiations in respect of the dire situation the country faces.

Senator Quinn raised the need for defibrillators on Irish aeroplanes. This is a serious matter and perhaps we can resume debate on the Bill he introduced two years ago. With regard to the point he raised on employment permits, Second Stage of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015 will be taken later and I hope the Senator will take part in the debate. The employment permits issue he mentioned could be incorporated into that Bill and I ask him to consider that.Senator Burke spoke about excessive drinking and the shortage of nurses, which he raised on the Commencement debate. I take his point on incentives to bring back Irish nurses because there is a dire shortage.

Senator Craughwell clarified that funding for the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre was not cut, as I mentioned last week. I do not propose to accept his amendment to the Order of Business that No. 74, non-Government motion No. 17, be taken before No. 1.

Senator Noone spoke about roaming charges, and it is very welcome that these charges will have ended by 2017. It is a matter that has been raised in this House over many years and it is great news that eventually we will see the end of these very exorbitant charges.

Senator Mullins spoke about the terrorist attack in Tunisia and the Dillon family farm.

I note Senator Brennan's point on the national strategy for suicide prevention, and I will try to arrange a debate on this with the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch.

Senator Mullen spoke about a greenway project in east Galway. The greenways throughout the country have been very successful. They have been achieved through negotiation between local authorities, farming institutions and others. I suggest that the Senator table a Commencement Matter on the specific greenway project he mentioned.