Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We must have probity such that the strict rules applying to the charity sector are implemented. Senator Conway referred to Part 4 of the Charities Act. It is a staffing issue. There is an obligation on the Government to work with the Charities Regulator and give him a full complement of staff to implement the Charities Act with its full rigour. We cannot condone any wrongdoing and must condemn it and hold those involved to account. These were public moneys, charitable money and money we all work hard to accrue and spend. The accrual of personal largesse is despicable and there is no other word for that kind of behaviour. I hope the breach of trust arising from this "Prime Time" programme will lead to a better corporate governance structure across the charity sector. In the last Dáil and Seanad, we saw breaches of trust in section 38 and section 39 organisations. I hope this is a watershed moment when we can turn the corner and say it will happen no more.

Six Senators mentioned Brexit. I say to Senator Craughwell that we accept the democratic will of the people of the United Kingdom to vote the way they did. That does not mean it is the right decision. What is important now for us is that our Government, on behalf of the people, acts in our interests within the European Union. As a very proud advocate of the European Union and as a republican, I believe it is imperative that we put the green goal forward to protect the North and South of the country, to protect jobs and to highlight the issues raised this morning in regard to agriculture and, in particular, trade. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will come to the House next week.

Senator Conway-Walsh mentioned currency fluctuations for those on social welfare. The Department of Social Protection has said it will monitor the situation and take steps to adjust and rebalance the amounts payable to pensioners, in particular. It is important to keep a watching brief on that.

The relationship between this country and the United Kingdom is important and special. The repercussions of the vote will have a profound impact on this nation. There is a need now, within the EU, for a calm reflective debate on how best to further the European project. If that means changing the democratic institutions and how they operate, let us do that. For now, we need a period of calm and certainty to allow the UK trigger the mechanism to exit but in so doing, perhaps it will recognise the error of its ways and revisit the vote at a later date before triggering that mechanism.

I thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for coming to the House yesterday for the debate, which was very good. I thank all Senators for their participation in it.

Several Senators mentioned the awful and tragic killings in Istanbul yesterday. I hope all of us will join in the condemnation of those senseless and meaningless attacks in the name of whatever. Violence has no place in our world. There is no justification for any type of violence in the pursuit of peace or a common cause. Senator Conway-Walsh also proposed an amendment to the Order of Business. I will not accept the amendment for the reasons I have already outlined. All of us want the Seanad to move forward in a way that is productive and reflective of the new dynamics in the House, but there is a structure in place. I have explained the rationale for that. I hope the legacy the Members of this Seanad leave is a reformed Seanad that will work better for generations of people to come.

Senator Nash raised the report of the Standards in Public Office Commission. I welcome that report. Senator O'Mahony raised the PSO levies on electricity charges. I will be happy to invite the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Naughten, to the House to explain this and have a debate on it. If the Senator wishes, he could table a Commencement matter to get a reply more quickly but I will facilitate the Minister coming to the House as well.

Senator Gallagher raised the talks between the Garda Representative Association, GRA, and the Department of Justice and Equality on the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest, FEMPI, Acts and the Lansdowne Road agreement. The FEMPI legislation is very important legislation which the last Government began to roll back in terms of the reduction it contained. Industrial action of any type is regrettable and I appeal to the GRA and, indeed, to the teachers, particularly the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland, ASTI, to re-engage and not take their members to the brink.

I am a public service worker and have been a member of a union all of my working life. It is important that 200,000 public sector workers signed up to the Landsdowne Road agreement. Further engagement is needed and is desirable. There are issues to be addressed, and I understand the frustrations of the two unions involved regarding the pay and conditions of their members. Those of us who were involved in this debate previously will recognise that there is a road to travel. However, there is an understanding, which should have been conveyed by the unions, that when one did not sign up to the Lansdowne Road agreement there was a consequence, however regrettable that is. I hope that there will be compromise and further engagement at this 11th hour. I have no wish to see any member of the Garda Síochána or a teaching union representative losing pay or losing out on receiving money as a result of the FEMPI legislation being rescinded, but I hope there will be further engagement on the matter.

Senators Conway and Mark Daly raised the Halawa case. I will do my best to get the Minister to come to the House at the earliest opportunity. It might not be possible tomorrow, but I will do my best.

Senator Boyhan raised the important issue of Irish Water. We heard this morning that the former Senator, Mr. Joe O'Toole, has been appointed to chair the commission. I am glad Senator Boyhan referred to the fact that it was the Fianna Fáil Government in 2010 which conceded the derogation. However, it is important that we allow that piece of work to be done and have the debate. It is part of the programme for Government and the confidence and supply arrangement between Fianna Fáil and the minority Government to have that report commissioned. I wish Mr. O'Toole every success in his work.

Senator Maria Byrne raised two important issues relating to security in Limerick. I will ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to report to her on Operation Prowl.

Senator Warfield spoke about Dublin Pride. I was a proud participant last Saturday in Dublin when there were 70,000 people on the streets. It is regrettable that there was an incident late that night in which somebody was attacked, for whatever motivation. Contrast the carnival and celebratory atmosphere in Dublin with what happened at the Istanbul pride parade. It shows the progress this country has made. I thank the many parents and grandparents of LGBT people who came out on the streets of Dublin on Saturday and celebrated. It was worth seeing. There was a Mardi Gras atmosphere. Is it not fantastic that, as we remember the late Declan Flynn and people such as Chris Robinson, in 2016, as we celebrate the centenary of the Rising, we can walk as free and equal citizens across our capital city?

Senator Hopkins raised the issue of agriculture, as did Senator Lombard. The Minister will be in the House next week to discuss agriculture issues.

Senator Dolan, who as been a strong promoter of the charity and disability sector, made a poignant point about the Battle of the Somme and the role of Irish people in that battle. The Minister is travelling there to take part in the commemoration events. We certainly recognise the importance of that event.

Senators Mulherin and Norris raised the issue of motor tax. I will be happy to invite the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister for Finance to the House to discuss that issue.

Senator Landy and Senator Colm Burke spoke about the Order of Business. It would be a great help to me if a Member could raise only one item on the Order of Business, but that is a matter for the Cathaoirleach to decide. Senator Colm Burke also raised the important issue of not being able to share closed circuit television, CCTV, footage. I am a member of the Cork city joint policing committee on which there is representation from the Garda. The Garda is absolutely tied in not being able to allow this to happen in the sharing of information. The Senator is right and I agree with him that the legislation should be amended to reflect the new technological world in which we live whereby we can share information which could prevent crime and theft occurring, at the flick of a switch. I agree that we should invite the Minister with responsibility for data protection to the House. I will endeavour to do so at the earliest convenient opportunity.

Senators Feighan and Paul Daly raised the issue of Brexit and the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. As I said, the Minister will come to the House to discuss agriculture. The Senators are correct that it is important to have an urgent debate on agriculture.

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins raised the report of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. I will be happy to invite the Minister to the House to discuss the broader issue.

Senator Lombard raised the role of the family farm and he highlighted the price differential in a startling way. I hope the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, will address that when he comes to the House.

Senator Devine raised the issue of oncology services for the treatment of sarcoma. This is predominantly an operational matter for the HSE, so I will take it up with the Minister and the HSE.

Senator Richmond raised the sports capital programme and the non-allocation of sports capital grants this year. If that is the case, it is a very disappointing announcement by the Minister. As the Senator rightly said, this is about sport and community. It is about benefitting sports grounds for communities, clubs and sports organisations. It is also about the local economy and allowing small builders, in particular, to make an income. It is disappointing and I will invite the Minister to the House at the earliest opportunity.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the issue of waste. I will not accept the amendment as we had a debate on the matter last week. The Senator can table a Commencement matter on it as well if he wishes, but the Minister gave a clear outline to the House last week and the circumstances have not changed. Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue as well.