Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

However, Senator Burke did point out that it was a fair budget which gave something back to hard-pressed people in middle Ireland. For some years, many Senators have been speaking about that sector.

I note Senator Noone's point on the importance of breastfeeding, as well as her comments on infertility. Hopefully we can have a debate on those issues in the House. Senator Paul Coghlan said the budget was about making work pay. Senator Eamonn Coghlan raised a number of issues, including the bail laws, to which Senators Kelly and Conway also referred. I am informed that a review of bail legislation began today at the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. I am sure we will have a discussion in the near future on the serious issue of bail. It is a question that will have to be addressed by the Government as a matter of urgency. The public are crying out for the bail issue to be dealt with. It is an absolute disgrace to see people with 200 or 300 convictions being allowed out on bail. It should not be tolerated, and hopefully it will be attended to.

Senators Eamonn Coghlan, James Heffernan, Martin Conway and Terry Brennan referred to Paul O'Connell. There is no doubt that he is a giant of a man in every respect. We all wish him well and hope he will have a speedy recovery so that his playing days will not be over and he will be playing in France next year. It is appropriate that a Limerick man such as Senator Heffernan would speak about Paul O'Connell. I note his suggestion for a system to honour people such as Paul O'Connell. Perhaps the Senator could table that matter as a Commencement Debate issue. In that way, the appropriate Minister could attend the House to respond on behalf of the Government. It is something that was previously mooted but it might not be a bad idea to have an update on it.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan also mentioned our boxers at the world championships, including Michael Conlan, who is going for gold. Boxers always do us proud in the sporting arena, and we wish them all well. He also welcomed the 40% increase for sport in the budget.

Senator Moran mentioned the budgetary provisions on education and disability. She also welcomed the restoration of the full respite grant, as well as the €15 million extra for children with disabilities attending school.

Senator Kelly welcomed many of the budgetary provisions and spoke about dismantling the universal social charge - the tax that was introduced by Fianna Fáil. Hopefully, a future government will dismantle that tax, which has proven to be very difficult for workers.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of commercial rates, which are a matter for local authorities. Many counties that have undergone valuations by the valuation board have severe difficulties with commercial rates. The Senator is right in that regard, and I will try to facilitate a debate on the matter. Speaking time is agreed on the Order of Business every sitting day and, unfortunately, we cannot change it willy-nilly. It just happens that sometimes Senators cannot get in.

Senator Mooney spoke about the amount of money provided for housing. Some €4.5 billion is available and ready to be spent on housing in the capital plan. That is the amount, so money is not a problem for building. However, getting local authorities up and running and providing plans, even for restoring houses that are boarded up, has proven to be quite difficult. We are beginning to get action in that regard, albeit more slowly than the Government had thought.

This year, additional funding of €17 million has been made available for the homeless in addition to the €50 million already provided. I know that will not solve the problem; it is only a drop in the ocean. Unfortunately, however, one cannot build houses overnight. I know that people do not like to hear it, but it is going to take time. It is very difficult for hard-pressed people who have been made homeless, but we just have to get the housing programme up and running as fast as possible. All barriers that are in the way will have to be removed.

Senator Brennan spoke about the death of Garda Tony Golden and asked for books of condolences to be placed in Garda stations. I am sure that suggestion will be considered by superintendents in the various Garda divisions.