Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Marc MacSharry called for the establishment of a strategic task force for the north west. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton. I remind the Senator that 125,000 jobs have been created. We still have a long way to go to reach the 200,000 jobs lost in the three years prior to the Government taking office, but we are making progress. Some 70% of the jobs created last year were outside Dublin. We all agree that it is a case of "A lot done. More to do," as the Senator's party stated many years ago in one of its election slogans. I can assure him that job creation is our number one priority and that it will continue to be prioritised in the coming months.

On IBRC, the letter was received last Friday by the Taoiseach. Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and several other Senators have mentioned that there were rumours in July and August that there were difficulties. Regardless of whether there were difficulties, the Taoiseach was only written to and informed by the judge last Friday. Senators have said it is incredible that nothing was done about the matter, but one cannot do anything until one is notified. The judge only came to the conclusion and wrote to the Taoiseach last Friday. The Government will be examining the matter and will deal with it as promptly as possible.Senator Bacik questioned whether there is a better mechanism than the 2004 Act to investigate transactions in IBRC. Obviously, it must be dealt with. The Government is totally committed to accountability and transparency on this issue and will do whatever is necessary to ensure that this happens.

Senator Norris spoke about Clerys workers and the need for consultation with workers prior to any liquidation. I agree with him that workers need to be protected in this regard. I know the matter has been brought to the Minister and I will raise it again with him. I will not comment on the question of the Seanad election, which was raised by some Members, because it was ruled out of order by the Cathaoirleach.

Senators Brennan and Moran spoke about Dundalk FC. We all compliment the team on winning the double after 27 years. Senators Brennan and Mullins also reminded us about an event to remember all those who died in road traffic accidents since statistics began and the need for all of us to be more vigilant on the roads, particularly during the winter.

Senator Mooney spoke about the Social Welfare Bill. I expect that it will be in here in a fortnight's time. I think I have addressed the point raised by Senator Ó Clochartaigh. Senator Colm Burke spoke about Myanmar and the victory of Aung San Suu Kyi. Let us hope her victory and that of her party will bring about the necessary changes and prosperity for her people, which they certain deserve after so many years of dictatorship. Senator Colm Burke also raised the plight of junior doctors and called for the Minister of Health to come up with a plan to address it. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister.

Senator Barrett spoke about IBRC and the need to find new ways to openly sell assets. He also argued that section 71 of the Finance Bill should be looked at in this regard. Senator Hayden spoke about the new deal for tenants and the proposals that will come from Cabinet today. She welcomed the proposals and suggested they will stem the flow of people becoming homeless. A question was asked about whether we will have legislation to deal with that. I am sure we will have legislation - be it in the form of amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act or a stand-alone piece of legislation to deal with these matters. I have not been informed about the situation but I am sure we will see action in the coming week and it will be clearer whether it will involve amending the Residential Tenancies Act or not.

Senator Craughwell spoke about the Seanad Electoral Reform Bill and the proposed implementation body. He mentioned the report of the independent working group on Seanad reform led by Maurice Manning, which was discussed in this House. I have been informed that there was an intention to set up an implementation body to deal with that report but to the best of my knowledge, this body has not been set up.

Senators Mullins and Paul Coghlan spoke about housing and complimented the work of Threshold and Senator Hayden. Senator Healy Eames raised a health matter that was ruled out of order. Senator Noone spoke about the need for hotels to be more vigilant regarding their prices and the raising of prices for special events. People should remember that the 9% VAT rate is not there in perpetuity.Hotel owners should remember that they have it good now when tourist numbers are at a record high, which is due to the 9% VAT rate and should not be hiking prices to exorbitant rates when special events take place.

Senator Crown spoke about whistleblower protection and intimidation of whistleblowers. He called for No. 48, the Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013, to be taken before No. 1 but I am afraid I cannot accede to that request.

Senator Mullen spoke about Conradh na Gaeilge proposals for the Irish language and setting up an Oireachtas committee. I certainly agree with those sentiments. There were also some comments about having a full-time senior Minister for the Irish language. I do not know whether that is necessary. The current Minister of State has shown that one can lose the Irish that one learnt at school and get it back after practice. There is certainly a question as regards the teaching of the Irish language when people can be in school for so many years and lose the ability to speak the Irish language in a short period of time whereas people can take up other languages and learn them in a matter of months.