Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Bacik and Mooney raised the Garda inspectorate report, which should be debated by the House. The Minister for Justice and Equality intends to send the report to Mr. Ray Magee and other parties, including the Garda representative organisations, first in order that they can review the issues raised. She also intends referring the report to the Cabinet Committee on Justice Reform. Technology is an absolute necessity for the Garda. The Government's capital plan includes substantial additional investment of more than €205 million in new technology and systems for the force. This new allocation will deliver new systems which will ensure a more responsive deployment of gardaí in the community and improve Garda response times. These and other new technology solutions for use by the Garda will cut back on the time involved in paperwork in order that gardaí can spend more time on front-line policing. Hopefully, we will have a debate on that in the new year.

A number of Members sought a debate on crime. The burglaries Bill will be before the House next week and, therefore, there will be ample opportunity for them to debate the issue.

Senators Norris, Gilroy and Keane expressed various views on Deputies in the other House in the context of Shannon Airport. We cannot condone the breaking of the law in any instance.

Senator Comiskey welcomed the aid for beef and pig farmers. The outstanding payments are few and far between and I am sure the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is working on that issue.

Senator Leyden raised the 1916 commemoration and the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. I am not aware of the commission's programme in this regard but I am sure the Fianna Fáil representative on the commission will highlight the issues raised by him.

Senator Quinn referred to the Fines Act, which was passed in 2014. I understand the Minister for Justice and Equality has announced that she will commence it in January. In future, fines could be deducted from social welfare payments and salaries, which is the proper way to go. Community services orders will also be an option in dealing with people who do not pay their fines.

Senator Moloney pointed out that today is Human Rights Day and she called for a debate on domestic violence, which we will have in the new year. In relation to medical cards, obviously we will have isolated situations where people have difficulties. We have witnessed the loss of documents on several occasions and such loss is acceptable. I cannot believe that documents are being lost at the rate that has been said and I agree with the Senator in that regard. I understand that the Primary Care Reimbursement Service, PCRS, was before the Joint Committee on Health and Children yesterday. I hope that members brought up these issues with the service at that meeting.

Senator Mullins mentioned flooding and applauded the efforts of volunteers and emergency services. He also mentioned, in terms of flooding, the delays by An Bord Pleanála. There is very little that we can do about the matter at present. I have addressed the matter raised by Senator Wilson.

In regard to the National Museum, I must admit that I find it very strange that there no portraits of Éamon de Valera available in the museum. Perhaps they were sold out.