Seanad debates

Wednesday, 15 June 2016

10:30 am

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all 39 Senators who spoke this morning and this afternoon. In response to Senator Wilson, Private Members' business involves ten minutes for the proposer and six minutes for the seconder. Other speakers have six minutes each and the Minister has 15 minutes to respond. It is fixed by the House. Today, like many Senators, my "L" plates are on and tá mé an-neirbhíseach.

I thank all 20 Senators who spoke about Orlando. As a member of the LGBT community, to wake up on Sunday morning to television and news coverage of the depraved killing of 49 people left one numb. I say this as somebody who sees - and uses - our nightclubs and gay pubs and community venues as havens and refuges where men and women of all ages can feel safe and secure without the fear of being attacked verbally or physically, let alone being gunned down and where those within that community have a sense of belonging and acceptance. I join all other Senators in sending our sympathies to the families, partners, husbands and wives of those who have been killed and I ask the Cathaoirleach to send our deep condolences to the US ambassador. This is an act that took place during the month of pride and to those who ask why Gay Pride continues, the events in Orlando and across the world where people kill others in the name of religion show why we need Gay Pride. It comes 12 months after a referendum in this country where we stood as a beacon across the world. This week, across our country in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and other cities, people are organising a vigil through GLEN, LINC or the Gay Men's Health Service. It is an example of why we must continue our work and ensure that no person who was born this way is afraid to come out and live the life they can.I know it is not a day for political statements but I agree with Senator Lawless that the issue of gun control and the right to bear arms in the United States of America is one that we must collectively try to change. I hope that through his good offices the Senator will be able to help bring about that change, irrespective of a political ideology. For any person under any kind of surveillance to walk into a gun shop, buy two types of weapons and, a couple of days later, do what he did begs a serious question. It is a lesson we must all consider.

I hope, with the Orlando events, we can send a message to our sons, daughters and friends that it is okay to be gay and come out to live a normal life. If we do not do it, we will go back to the days when we were suppressed. I appeal to those of other religions not to see this as western values versus those of the Far East, or wherever. Those of us who are gay are men and women of value, principle, and integrity. We must all work to ensure that our society and world are better and kinder places.

Seven Members raised the issue of carers' week and I was fortunate last Monday morning to be with Senator Alice-Mary Higgins in University College Cork where she gave a fine speech on carers and the launch of a new study done by people at the university. It is important that we collaborate to ensure the national carers' strategy is implemented. There are parts that can be put in place without cost and it is important that we in this House, along with Deputies, set up a cross-party group, as we did with mental health. We should not just pay lip service and we must ensure that the carers' strategy can be put on a footing whereby there can be implementable action points. I look forward to working with Members on that.

I am happy to accept Senator McDowell's proposal on Seanad reform on behalf of the Government. To the eight Members who spoke on it, I say that we on this side of the House will not stand in the way of reform. It is important that if we are serious about reform, the legacy we should leave in this Twenty-fifth Seanad should be of reform to bring about change. We may have different views on how to get the end result but as part of the process, it is important we begin a discussion on how we can implement the Manning report, which is central to the programme for Government. I have already spoken to the Taoiseach about this and he will make known his views on this in a couple of weeks. It is incumbent on us, in a cross-party manner, to bring about reform of the Seanad encompassing all views.

Senator Ardagh raised questions on the Order of Business and it is important for us to consider waiting times. The Minister for Health will be in the House next week to discuss issues of health. Senator Norris, in a very fine address, and Senator Bacik raised the issue of the eighth amendment to the Constitution. The Taoiseach has proposed a citizens' assembly. I share Senator Bacik's view and it is important we have Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas as part of that citizens' assembly. I say that as somebody who served on the Constitutional Convention, which brought about profound change in our country. Those who decried the Constitutional Convention should read some of the scholarly articles by Professor David Farrell and others, as in our case that convention was mould-breaking. It allowed citizens and elected public representatives to come together to discuss matters of sensitivity and political policy and reform. A citizens' assembly is the way to go with the eighth amendment. For those who propose abolition there is a hiatus and for those who want retention, the answer is not kept for those who want to get rid of the eighth amendment. It is important that we take the issue away from the body politic and the heat of the political process. As a former chairman of the health committee that dealt with the protection of health during pregnancy legislation, I see it as important that we handle this in a sensitive and careful manner. It is about the lives of people and different views. It is important that we hear all sides and not just extremes, whatever our own views or ideology.

Senators Norris and Ó Ríordáin, a former Minister of State, raised the direct provision issue. I commend the former Minister of State, Senator Ó Ríordáin, on the work he did on direct provision. I spoke to the relevant Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, already about this as, despite Senator Craughwell's view about politics and constituencies, this transcends such constituencies. In my own city of Cork we have a number of centres-----

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