Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator O'Brien made the case in respect of Aer Lingus but this has been debated at length in the committee and, therefore, I do not propose to amend the Order of Business.

The report on paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland was raised by a number of Senators, including Senator Bacik. I hope when we have the full details of that and the report of the Garda Commissioner that we can have a debate on this important issue.

Senator Bacik and others reminded us of the families of the bereaved in Carrickmines. I am sure all our hearts go out to the families involved.

Senators Bacik and Barrett welcome the appointment of Professor Philip Lane as Governor of the Central Bank. Senator Barrett also congratulated the new Prime Minister of Canada. I noted his points in respect of transport issues and Aer Lingus, in particular.

Senator Naughton raised the issue of burglaries in Knocknacarra, County Galway. The Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015 is before the Lower House and it will be in this House soon. I understand the bail Bill is also in the other House and we will also have it within a few weeks. We will, therefore, deal with those matters and there will be ample time and opportunity for Members to make a contribution on those Bills. The Senator and Senator Brennan welcomed the announcement of the provision of 260 additional high powered vehicles for the Garda by the end of the year and the allocation of €5.3 million by the Minister for Justice and Equality for their purchase.

Senators Mooney, Coghlan and others raised the issue of Billy Walsh's resignation. There is no doubt he has been an excellent ambassador not alone for his sport but for the country since he took over. If my memory serves me correctly, his predecessor, Gary Keegan, was also forced out of that high performance post. Questions need to be asked of, and answered by, the IABA. I am sure the question of the funding of same will be considered as regards the governance of that body. It is a sad day that a person who has given so much of himself to the sport has been forced out in such a way. I wish him well in his new position if he takes it up, but I am sure he has no option to do so at this time.

Senator Hayden referred to the report on Irish people's loss of personal wealth over the past number of years in comparison to other countries. She called for a debate on housing and the acquisition of assets.We will try to arrange that with the Minister for Finance. The Senator also called for a debate on youth policy and education grants. We have not had a debate on that issue since the youth guarantee so I will endeavour to hold one.

I note Senator Norris's points in regard to the eighth amendment. I suggest to him that Irish people hate to be dictated to by any source on any issue, certainly on this issue.

Senator Jim D'Arcy spoke about the death of Garda Tony Golden, who was a close neighbour of his. I attended in Dundalk last week and I offered my sympathy in the Garda station in particular. I am delighted the extra 27 gardaí have been put in place by the Garda Commissioner. As Senator D'Arcy said, the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly only last year called for a task force to be put in place in the Border area. I would hope that will now take place, both from the Irish and the British side. There is a need to deal with the criminality - the diesel laundering, the smuggling, the beatings and so on. I know Senator Heffernan has referred to Paul Quinn's murder, which was a barbaric act. People would ask who sanctioned that murder and those beatings. A mafia-style omertaexists in that area of our country and there is undoubtedly a fear within the community. We will certainly debate the report of the Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers MP. One point that stands out is that the Provisional army council oversees both the Provisional IRA and Sinn Féin with an over-reaching strategy. That is one of the things many people have been stating all along and there is a need for clarification and debate on that issue.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh called for a debate on domestic violence. We will certainly try to arrange that. A number of Members welcomed the Government's and the Taoiseach's stance that the ratification of the Istanbul convention will be done by the Government in early course.

Senator Leyden called for a review of the personal injuries board and also for a debate on fraud in the insurance sector. I share his concerns on that matter and will try to arrange same with the Minister, Deputy Bruton.

Senator Colm Burke raised the issue of drink driving offences and the low number of convictions being recorded in many areas of the country. If so many people avoid conviction, there is a clear need for more watertight legislation to be put in place. I believe the Minister is considering this in early course and, hopefully, we will have legislation before Christmas, if possible, to deal with these loopholes. People are appalled at the low percentage of convictions in these cases.

Senator Quinn spoke on the question of green-ways and cycle-ways, and the need to increase our tourism opportunities. We are succeeding in that area but there is a need for further improvement.The Senator also raised an issue he has raised every year, the whole question of Central European Time. As he states, it must be done in conjunction with our UK neighbours because otherwise, it cannot come in. The justice committee and Members of the British Parliament are very favourably disposed. We must jump together on this issue if it is to be introduced. I would certainly agree with Senator Quinn's sentiments in this regard, as I have over many years. Senator Brennan welcomed the provision of 260 new high-powered Garda vehicles, in addition to the 370 vehicles which already have been put in place this year. He also welcomed the 600 extra gardaí who will be trained in Templemore.

Senator Mullen questioned Amnesty International's stance on abortion. He also called for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to come to the House for a debate on the beef genomics scheme. The Minister has attended the Chamber on that matter. As I recall, it was raised on the Commencement debate and may also have been debated on other occasions. It certainly has been debated comprehensively at the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. There is no point in having repetition in various areas.

Senator Mullins welcomed the 600 Garda recruits and emphasised the need for new technology in order to combat burglaries and all types of criminality. He mentioned, too, the need for electronic tagging. It is easy to say we should have such a facility, but its success is dependent on a number of factors. Those factors will be examined by the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality in early course. Senator Mullins also highlighted the need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to lead a campaign for the global abolition of the death penalty and highlighting human rights issues.

Senator Heffernan spoke about the death of Paul Quinn, to which I have already referred.

To clarify for Senator Craughwell, as I mentioned on the Order of Business, the Marriage Bill 2015 will be taken at 5 p.m., with the time allocated to group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and that for all other Senators not to exceed five minutes in each case. The debate will conclude when everybody is finished. The Senator may certainly take up the other matters he raised with the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. When I hear him talking about the disagreements between the Independent groups and who should or should not be affiliated, I question how stable a government would be if it were made up of Independent Members.