Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----when the Senator was not present.

With regard to the unfortunate Irish citizen, Ibrahim Halawa, Senator Mullins informed the House that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade attended yesterday's meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade at which he gave full details of his and the Government's efforts to secure the release of this Irish citizen. I hope there would be unity of purpose from all sides of the House in trying to secure this chap's release from custody. I presume it is the intention of every party that we would do everything possible to try to secure his release, and the Government is doing that.

Senator Bacik also spoke about the Halawa case. In addition, she called for a debate on the Paris talks on climate change. We will try to facilitate that in the new year. She also called for a debate on the repeal of the eighth amendment of the Constitution. There have been many such requests in the House today, for different reasons, including from Senators Bradford, Healy Eames, Mullen and Cahill. I have no intention of having that debate before Christmas but we will try to facilitate one in the new year.

Senator Barrett referred to keeping financial measures under review and Senator Craughwell spoke in a similar vein in respect of the budget and so forth. There will be ample opportunity to discuss the budget in the debate on the Finance Bill, which will be before the House in the next week or two. It will also be an opportunity to discuss the matters mentioned by Senator Barrett.

Senator Mullins raised the issue of road safety and drink driving and the need for all of us to change our attitudes. I believe attitudes to drink driving have changed significantly over the years but there is a need to continue monitoring it. The message must be conveyed that if one drinks, one does not drive. Obviously, that message has not got through to everybody but let us hope it will get through, especially during the Christmas period.

Senator Leyden referred to a point he raised yesterday about motor insurance. He highlighted the fact that FBD challenged a case recently and won. He also complimented the Garda for highlighting the number of sham marriages that are taking place in this country. I agree with Senator Leyden and I compliment the gardaí involved.

Senator Paul Coghlan welcomed the decision of McDonald's not to proceed with a planning application for a premises adjacent to a school, a matter that was raised by several Senators yesterday. Both he and Senator Mullen raised the need for greater transparency regarding CEO payments. This matter was also raised on the Order of Business on Tuesday and Wednesday and I agree with the sentiments expressed.

Senator Norris spoke about drinks advertising and the problem of alcohol. I am assured that an alcohol Bill, which will deal with alcohol, pricing and so forth, will be brought before the House before the Christmas recess.

Senator Brennan highlighted the excellent news on tourism figures, which are up 12.8%. Tourism has been a tremendous boost for the economy. I recall that when the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, took office four years ago he emphasised that tourism would be one of the engines that would drive our economy. That is the reason the 9% VAT rate was introduced. He was proved correct and it has proven to be a great boost to the economy and to the growth we are witnessing at present. Long may it continue. I will try to arrange for the debate the Senator requested but I doubt that it will be held before Christmas due to the amount of legislation we must deal with between now and then.

Senator Mooney corrected the record of the House in respect of the wearing of seat belts and the number of people killed on our roads as a result of not wearing them. Irrespective of the numbers involved, it is crazy that people do not wear seat belts in their cars in this day and age. The message must be conveyed that people must belt up at all times when in a car.

I referred to Senator Craughwell earlier. He spoke about the expansionary nature of the budget. I assure him there will be no return to what we witnessed in the economy over many years. The Senator will have the opportunity to discuss that during the debate on the Finance Bill.

Senator Crown rightly highlighted the ploys of the tobacco companies and the tobacco industry to get young people to start smoking. I will try to organise a debate on the matter in early course. With regard to the proposed amendment to the Order of Business to take No. 59 before No. 1, No. 59 deals with not just finishing Second Stage but also taking Committee Stage of that Bill. I cannot afford the opportunity of holding Committee Stage of that Bill today before No. 1. It was pointed out yesterday that a number of Bills had concluded with five seconds or so left on Second Stage. It would be appropriate to try to deal with those. I ask the Members concerned either to remove them from the Order Paper or to deal with the concluding seconds of the Bills. I will facilitate them in doing that if they wish. If a vote is required to conclude Second Stage, we can deal with that. I will consider what can be done with regard to the Bill mentioned by Senator Crown.

Senator Wilson called for a debate on the Defence Forces. I agree that such a debate is long overdue. I will try to schedule it in the new term.

Senator Quinn spoke on tourism and the need to ensure that people from the US feel safe when travelling in Ireland. That is very important for our tourism industry and I am sure Fáilte Ireland and all concerned are working on that. I have referred to the contributions of Senator Bradford and Senator Mullen.

Senator O'Sullivan referred to plans to extract water from the Shannon to supply houses in Dublin and the need for local authority involvement. He also referred to the need for environmental impact studies and I am sure they will have to be carried out. I agree with him that local authorities should be involved in the process.

I have referred to the matters relating to the repeal of the eighth amendment raised by Senator Cahill and Senator Healy Eames.