Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Cathaoirleach caught me on the hop. I thank Senators for raising the issue and apologise to Senator Ó Domhnaill for missing his remarks on mortgages and insolvency. I would be pleased to have a debate on those issues.

Senator Ardagh raised the issue of health. It was announced recently that 14 new primary care centres were to be built using investment secured through a loan from the European Investment Bank. Under the previous Government, 90 primary care centres came into operation and a further 82 are to be opened. We all agree on the need to expand primary care because it is the most important element of the health system. The Senator will not find anyone willing to argue with her on that issue. She may wish to table a commencement matter on the sites to which she referred. I will also raise the issue with the Minister on her behalf. She is correct that primary care is very important. We must shift the emphasis towards primary care in regard to funding and resourcing and how the population view the issue.

A number of other Senators also raised health issues and I will refer individually to the matters raised by Senators Burke, Noone and Gallagher.

Senators Craughwell, Ó Clochartaigh and Norris raised the issue of reform. This side of the House will not place any obstacles to the progress of legislation on reform of the electoral system or how the House does its business. I have had discussions with Senators on this issue and while we may disagree on the path to achieving reform, we should not erect roadblocks to reform. In terms of the Sinn Féin motion, I hope that we can discuss it at the meeting later. I have no difficulty in discussing and having Seanad reform. I have made the point in this House that we should establish a business committee, similar to the Dáil, whereby we can run business efficiently and effectively. Thus, Members would have their say and we could conduct our business in a better fashion. That is not an issue on our side.

The Sinn Féin motion puts an added and unfair onus on the role of the Cathaoirleach. He is independent of all of us, as the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, but the motion, as presently constituted, does not allow for same. A committee comprised of 20 Members would be too cumbersome and one third of the Seanad is new. The CPP is the vehicle and forum where we can drive change, make amendments to Standing Orders and provides cross representation of all of the House, which is the way we should do things. We should not stipulate timelines that will not and cannot be met.

The Manning report is one that we have all subscribed to. Senator McDowell has moved his Bill. I am happy to allow for his legislation to be taken at a time when we can have the discussion that would bring about change. That is part of the reason I think the Sinn Féin motion is not the way to go forward. In saying that, our side of the House is willing to engage and be active in terms of Seanad reform and how we do business-----