Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Well, pots and kettles applies to the Labour Party members too. It was their Minister who signed the statutory instrument but we will not go back over that now. I will raise this with the Whips at our next meeting and ask them to ensure that we conduct our business in a manner that befits the House of which we are Members. I thank Senators for raising that issue.

The issue of mobile devices in the Chamber is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. Sometimes when I am on my iPad in the Chamber, I am just looking for the note for the person who is speaking. I do not mean to be rude. I think Senator Craughwell thought I was not listening to him but I was listening. That is the main reason for using my iPad but I apologise if it appears rude.

Senator Ruane raised the issue of the Bill to be discussed this afternoon and I look forward to the debate on same. Senator Bacik made reference to the One Foundation event. It was a good event and I am sorry I missed it. That foundation is doing great work. Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of alcohol. She is right that it is a very harmful drug of choice for many of us but the issue is being addressed by the Government. The sale of alcohol Bill has been restored to the Order Paper. While it will not be taken before the summer recess, it is in train. If the Senator would like any information on it, the health committee of which I was a member in the last Dáil carried out very good pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill. I would be happy to speak to the Senator about that and to provide her with further information. It is a very important issue that we must keep talking about in order to raise awareness, as well as dealing with it through legislation.

Senators Hopkins and Byrne raised the issue of rehabilitation services and I am happy to invite the Minister for Health to the House to discuss this issue. A strategy has been developed but there are questions around its implementation. We must follow up on that. Senators Hopkins and Feighan also referred to the situation at Roscommon hospital and while that could be raised as a Commencement matter, I am happy to ask the Minister for Health to come to the House to discuss it.

Senator Ó Donnghaile raised the issue of sport, North-South relations and co-operation, which is very important. It is imperative that we use Healthy Ireland, the framework created by the former Minister for Health, former Deputy, now Senator Reilly, and the special action group created under that framework, to work on a joint implementation strategy. Senator Kieran O'Donnell made an important point about the lack of a State awards system to honour our sporting heroes, North and South. I hope that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges will consider that matter and break new ground. Why can we not be bold and ambitious and do it? It is an important issue and the Senator made a very fine point.

Senator Grace O'Sullivan raised the important issue of gun control, which thankfully does not apply to us here. As we speak, Members of the United States Congress are engaged in a sit-in, led by Congressman John Lewis, a renowned parliamentarian and activist whom I had the privilege of meeting a number of years ago. We spoke about the issue of gun control in this House in the wake of events in Orlando and I hope it forms part of the bilateral discussions between the Government and Vice President Joe Biden.

Senator Davitt raised the issue of Mullingar Army barracks for which a strategy was put in place. That strategy is currently being reviewed and the Taoiseach has been in contact with Senator McFadden on the matter. I agree with Senator Davitt that the barracks should either be used or sold. The Army barracks in Ballincollig in Cork was sold and as a result, the town has grown exponentially and is now one of the jewels in the crown of Cork County Council. Perhaps that model could be considered for Mullingar.

Senator Gallagher spoke about primary care in County Monaghan. I am happy to raise that matter with the Minister for Health and invite him to the House to discuss it. I would encourage the Senator to submit it as a Commencement matter. Primary care is the way forward. While I hate to single anyone out, when Senator Reilly was Minister for Health he was a pioneer on primary care but was often criticised. We now have over 90 primary care centres but if there are deficits, they must be addressed.

Senators Gavan and Coffey raised the issue of third level education. The Minister for Education and Skills will come before the House before the summer recess to discuss education. In the context of that discussion, it is important that we improve access to education and fund third level education adequately. The Senators referred to the current USI president, Kevin Donoghue, whose term of office ends soon. I wish to pay tribute to him because he has been a very impressive president of USI. He has been impartial in his dealings with all of us and has been very fair and assertive in representing students. I commend him for that and wish him well.

Senator Ó Domhnaill raised the very important topic of the euro and the eurozone and suggested that post-Brexit, it would be opportune to have a debate on the EU. I hope that the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Dara Murphy, will be able to come to the House to engage in such a debate. I will put that matter on the agenda.

Senator Colm Burke raised the issue of a recent Supreme Court ruling concerning checks and balances. That is a matter that I will take up with the Committee on Procedure and Privileges because it is important. Senator Coffey made reference to Féile na nGael, which took place last weekend. It is a tremendous competition. Those of us involved in the GAA understand and recognise the importance of Féile na nGael. I commend all of those involved, including the host clubs and their families, the clubs themselves for preparing their young players and Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, through its uachtarán Aogán Ó Fearghail, for the work it has done in promoting our games among the under-14s.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan raised the issue of energy security and I agree that we should have a debate on that important matter. Any such debate should include a discussion on the Whitegate refinery and future plans for that facility.