Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Bacik welcomed the justice allocations under the capital plan and, in particular, two elements that were sought in this House only yesterday. They related to the €205 million that will be put into smart technology for gardaí in order to combat rural crime, as well as crime elsewhere in the country. Senator Bacik also called for a debate on childhood obesity. That was debated previously but we can certainly arrange another discussion on the measures to address that very important issue.

Senator Quinn called for an insurance scheme for new homes in light of the developments that we read in today's newspapers about a number of homes having difficulties relating to fire regulations. I hope to have a debate on housing and the issue could be discussed at that time.

I have nothing further to tell the House about Seanad reform. We had former Senators Manning and O'Toole before the House and my information after that was that the Taoiseach would set up an implementation body to give life to what was in the report. I have not heard anything further. I do not know if the implementation body has been set up or if that is imminent but I will try to find out what is happening. I would not hold my breath at this stage.

Senator Norris also spoke about genetically modified food and we will try to get the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to come to the House. I am sure he would be quite willing to have a debate on the issue. Senator Coghlan and quite a number of other Senators, including Senators Wilson and Bradford, spoke about the plight of local radio stations. I know representatives of the stations are in Buswell's now highlighting their case. They seem to be at a disadvantage, particularly with respect to the licence fee. The Senators asked that the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Alex White, come here to address the matter. I will ask him to take part in a debate. Local radio stations are certainly providing an excellent service nationwide, and they are to be complimented on that. They should not be at the disadvantage at which they currently seem to be.

Senator Coghlan also spoke about the theft of paintings from Killarney House and wondered where the remaining paintings are. Although I cannot tell him that, I am sure many people are trying to find them. It is certainly a serious matter that these valuable paintings have gone missing. Senators White, Keane and Noone spoke about inheritance tax. We will be discussing pre-budget submissions from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m and I understand the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, will attend. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, or the Minister of State, Deputy Harris, may also attend as well, so that will be the ideal opportunity to raise this matter. As has been highlighted, the Minister gave an indication last June that he intended to address this matter in the budget. The Senators might not have much longer to wait and see what comes up with regard to inheritance tax.

Senator Sheahan spoke about obstacles for employment for nurses, which should be removed, and I agree with the Senator that any obstacles should be addressed. Perhaps he could raise this as a Commencement matter and get a reply from the Minister for Health. My understanding is that 500 extra nurses have come to the system since last year, along with over 140 consultants. We need many more, as the Minister has acknowledged.

Senator Keane spoke about human trafficking while calling for a debate on the national plan. As she mentioned, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 will be dealt with soon, as that has been published as a Seanad Bill. It will come to us soon and we will have the opportunity to debate the issue in early course. Senator Keane also called for a debate on education grants. Senator Cullinane spoke about the capital programme, suggesting there is a veneer of electioneering. The capital programme comes out every four or five years and this is no different to any other capital programme. It highlights the €27 billion that will be made available, with €42 billion there in total when one considers European grants, etc. Of course, everybody wants a project in their own area. Senators Heffernan and Bradford have called for the Limerick to Cork motorway, for example. There are motorways to Dublin from the cities but they do not go between the other big cities of Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford. The choice has to be made between projects. Although that example is not in the current plan, there will be a mid-term review of the capital plan.

Senator Mullins spoke about rural Ireland, suggesting that it is fighting back. He spoke about the money available for town enhancement plans and schemes in rural Ireland, which are being well received. He also noted the 6% growth in the economy, with many small builders and craftsmen beginning to get back work, leading to more activity in the construction area in particular. The capital plan also includes many projects, leading to estimates of more than 42,000 extra jobs in the construction sector over the next number of years. It is good news for small towns in rural Ireland as well as cities.

Senator Craughwell raised the plight of refugees and welcomed the Irish Congress of Trade Unions offering services and facilities in that regard. As the Senator knows, we will have a motion relating to the Syrian issue in the House tomorrow and there will be ample opportunity to discuss the matter. The Senator also called for a debate on planning, which we will try to facilitate. As I mentioned, Senator Heffernan spoke about rural Ireland and the need for a Limerick to Cork motorway. He raised that matter in the House previously. He also asked for a level playing pitch for local radio stations, which other Members also addressed.

Senator Wilson asked about the by-election and the motion was passed in the House last week. I understand the Minister will move the writ at the weekend. It is the intention that a by-election will take place fairly soon. Senator Bradford spoke about the television licence, local radio and a Cork to Limerick motorway, highlighting the need to expedite these projects. I could not agree more with him. If legislation is required to fast-track major projects announced in the capital plan, it should come about. Delays such as those mentioned by the Senator, which have happened over the years, should not be allowed to continue. We need to get on with the job and expedite these projects.

I note Senator Noone's comments on inheritance tax. Senator Kelly also spoke about rural Ireland issues, particularly anomalies that may exist in the fair deal scheme. The Senator could raise it as a Commencement issue so it could be addressed by the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, at another time.