Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The plan is, as Senator O'Keeffe has said, building on recovery. As a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions, Senator O'Keeffe also mentioned the work of the Ombudsman and highlighted the fact that his annual report was published this week. I join with her in commending the work of the Ombudsman. She also mentioned that the IT system of the Ombudsman required funding and asked that we follow up on the matter.

Senator Mary Ann O'Brien noted that today is the International Day of Older Persons and mentioned the demographic challenges associated with an aging population. She also raised the issue of the respite grant. We all hope that these matters will be addressed in the budget. I am sure she has made her views known to the Minister for Finance during the pre-budget statements that took place here yesterday.

The Senator also reminded us about a briefing by the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland today. I have sent my apologies to the organisers, but somebody from my office will attend, as the briefing was scheduled to take place at the same time as the Order of Business. I echo the Senator's words about the importance of the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland and also commend it on the great work it does. Senator Feargal Quinn raised an issue on pensions. Like Senator Quinn, I welcome the fact that the Government accepted Senator John Crown's Bill last night. It raises important issues for an ageing population as to people's ability, capacity and desire to work beyond the standard retirement age. In the legal profession, there are many examples of barristers working well into their 80s and, indeed, 90s. If people choose to do so, they should be allowed. Senator Quinn also raised the important point that resources are needed to implement legislation when he referred to the legislation banning smoking in cars with children which came into operation in the UK today. The Senator noted that the police authorities in Britain have said they may not have the resources to enforce it. I was listening to the same reports and I understand there is also a difference of view with the police saying they would prefer to see the matter dealt with through education rather than by way of a £50 penalty. As such, there may be policy rather than simply resource issues involved.

Senator Mullins raised the issue of public service broadcasting and called for a debate with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Alex White, on the television licence fee and funding for broadcasting generally. I have already requested that debate in the House. Senator Mullins also raised the important issue of high levels of evasion of the licence fee. Senator Mooney joined in the call for a debate with the Minister, Deputy White, and noted that there was a 20% evasion rate here compared to a 5% evasion rate in the UK. I agree with the Senator that we could usefully debate in the House the most effective way to collect the licence fee. I have asked for that debate and hope we can have it in the coming weeks.

Senator Aideen Hayden welcomed Senator Susan O'Keeffe and other colleagues back from the banking inquiry. I am sure we all join in that welcome. She also raised the issue of Longboat Quay and the lack of responsibility. Senator Hayden suggested there may be criminal liability at some point and referred to the criminal offence of reckless endangerment. The burden of proof would be quite difficult to meet in the circumstances, but I agree with the Senator that there appears to have been appalling negligence in the construction of Longboat Quay. I also agree with her that there might well be other apartment developments that are at risk. Indeed, some newspapers today speak of a development in County Meath already coming under scrutiny. We will also look for a debate on that issue generally.

Senator Sean Barrett welcomed the coming into effect today of the rationalisation of workplace agencies with five going into two. The Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Gerald Nash, spearheaded the rationalisation. We will see a new Workplace Relations Commission take over the functions of quite a number of bodies and tribunals. We will see very positive developments in terms of tackling delays in the system as it was and in tackling costs. It is a very welcome development and I commend both the Minister for State, Deputy Nash, and Mr. Kieran Mulvey who has been the head of the Labour Relations Commission in that regard. Today, too, we will see improved pay rates for approximately 50,000 workers in the contract cleaning and security sectors as a result of changes in the law and the coming into effect of employment orders as a result of the Minister of State, Deputy Nash's work. Senator Barrett also referred to the IMF meeting this week and that body's potential new director. I agree with the Senator that we will await developments there with great interest.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh sought a debate with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on the underspending of €8 million in her Department. That matter had not come to my attention and, as such, I thank the Senator for raising it. While I will certainly put in a query on having the Minister attend, it may well be something the Senator could deal with as a Commencement debate matter. It seems like a very specific question and the Senator has some specific instances of funding issues. Funding is very tight in that area and I agree that it is a matter that should be raised with the Minister.

Senator Mary White referred to the Irish Tax Institute's pre-budget submission and called for changes to the tax code to ensure greater support for entrepreneurs. It is a sentiment we all share. It is a very constructive suggestion which the Senator may have made it yesterday during the pre-budget statements, all of which I did not hear. I also suggest that the Senator e-mails the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, on that point specifically as it is a very constructive proposal from the Irish Tax Institute. The Senator also pointed out the recommendations from the all-party committee.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames echoed the call by others for a debate on Longboat Quay, which I will see if we can deal with. She asked also for the Minister for Finance to attend the House. The Minister and Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputies Brendan Howlin and Simon Harris, were in the House yesterday for two hours for pre-budget statements. We can certainly seek to have the Minister for Finance attend in the coming week. I do not know if the Leader has planned any further pre-budget statements, however. That may have been it.