Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 21 Members who spoke for their varied and interesting contributions. I thank Senator Ardagh for her remarks regarding the Minister for Health and waiting lists. The Minister and the Government are engaging with the NTPF and it is planned that prior to the end of the year, the NTPF and the HSE will have a dedicated waiting list initiative.

We all accept that there is a key issue around waiting times. All of us are working to eliminate them but it is important to note that 60% of those on the lists are waiting less than six months for required care and 94% are waiting less than the waiting time maximum of 15 months. We all accept we have a journey to travel but improvements have taken place.

The Minister and his predecessor, Deputy Varadkar, have worked to eliminate waiting times. There was an interesting article in the Irish Examinerearlier this week in which the chief executive of Cork University Hospital, Mr. Tony McNamara, issued a set of figures relating to those who miss appointments and the implications this has for waiting times and for hospitals. It is important to ensure there is a dedicated outcome in terms of the levels of service, be it in terms of chronological scheduling or putting a plan in place regarding the procedures for how people are seen and assessed, in the HSE service plan in order that waiting times for patient treatment and appointments are reduced. We all very much want that to happen and I share the Senator's concerns in this regard. She raised the issue of older people. We had a good debate on yesterday's Order of Business on elderly care and the national dementia strategy. I hope we can work together as a collective on ensuring the strategy is worked on on a cross-party basis.

Senator Boyhan also raised the issue of the NTPF. He then raised the issue of the special delivery unit on housing. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will bring his housing proposals to Cabinet and then to the Oireachtas. The Government is committed to recommencing a building programme and has set aside capital funding for that. The Minister has said he is willing to work with everyone to ensure there is a process that will deliver housing and I look forward to that.

Senator Conway-Walsh raised an important mental health issue, on which we had a good debate. I agree with her that many positive measures are being taken. We should examine the Mental Health Commission report with a view to seeing how we can work with the Minister and the National Office of Suicide Prevention on that. The issue of the family carer can be addressed next week with the Minister for Social Protection when he comes to the House. I will not invite commentary or engage in the war between Sinn Féin and Fianna Fail regarding who did what or where. Revisionism is alive and well in our Chamber.

Senator Grace O'Sullivan raised the issue of raised bogs and the Habitats Directive and I am happy to have the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht come before the House regarding that issue.

Senator Bacik raised the Private Members' Bill which will be taken later today. We will have a discussion on that and I thank her for working with all of us regarding the legislation. It is important that we protect workers who do not enjoy the same rights or conditions and who are in a vulnerable position regarding their hours of contract and employment. I very much hope that this can be resolved during the lifetime of this Parliament.

Senator Ardagh mentioned the atrocity in Baghdad yesterday and I neglected to comment on it. I join the Senator and Senator Bacik in sympathising with the families that have been affected by huge atrocities across the world. The publication of the Chilcot report earlier was chilling for those charged with the administration of key offices throughout the world. I have only perused it briefly but the report should be read not least because he makes a number of key points such as that Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator who was in violation of UN human rights obligations. The report states peaceful options were not exhausted, which is a source of worry, and flawed intelligence was presented to governments in respect of Iraq's nuclear programme. The role of the UN and the authority of the Security Council was undermined. Having attended the OSCE last weekend, we might have a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade about the role of the UN and the Security Council.

Senator Martin Conway raised an important health and safety issue regarding Blake's Corner in Ennistymon. He rightly referenced the fact that 1.5 million people will visit the Cliffs of Moher on the Wild Atlantic Way. I thank him for raising the issue, as Senator Hopkins did yesterday, regarding health and safety at key visitor centres. At a time when the Government has invested heavily in tourism, it is important that should be linked to transport facilities and infrastructure.

Senators Ned O'Sullivan and Mullen raised the issue of probate, which must be addressed. Senator O'Sullivan is correct regarding waiting times. Some of the delays are due to time being given to families by the relevant office. Probate is a sensitive and difficult issue but I agree with him that the processing of applications should be expedited.

Senator O'Donnell mentioned the important issue of the ongoing effect of Brexit. I hope we, in this House, can play a key role in discussing not just the North-South implications, which are profound, but also the implications for us as an island nation. As a first step, Irish MEPs should come to the House. I hope the Senator will pursue this important matter again because we need to have it addressed. The House can play a key role in shaping opinion, highlighting issues and plotting a forward course for the country.

Senators Conway and Davitt referred to the remuneration of councillors, which was addressed in yesterday's motion. I thank Members for their support and I apologise for any miscommunication around the motion. The debate demonstrated none was intended and I am willing to keep the issue to the fore.

Senator Paddy Burke raised the timely issue of the EU-Canada trade agreement.To the best of my knowledge, the debate centring on this is an important one for the EU, not least because the agreement gives us an opportunity for further economic development. My understanding, from listening to the Senator and from doing a bit of research, is that there are three stages to the ratification process. The European Council meets in October and, depending on its recommendation, the agreement will go to the European Parliament, after which the national parliaments will ratify it. I hope that the Houses of the Oireachtas will jointly play a role in the ratification process. I stand with the Senator in ensuring that the Seanad will play a part.

Senator Paul Daly raised the important issue of St. Vincent's Care Centre, Athlone, in respect of which an electrical report highlighted a number of risks. In the interests of patient and staff safety, there have been moves to place the people affected into temporary accommodation on a phased basis. From speaking with the Senator, Senator McFadden and Deputy Troy, my understanding is that the HSE is involved in discussions on how to address the matter and ensure that the people's discommoding is temporary and they will return to St. Vincent's as soon as possible. The Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, is also involved.

Senator Colm Burke discussed the role of Senators regarding the ten-year health strategy. I have repeatedly stated that Senators should be included. This is the Upper House. The Senator was modest in his remarks concerning the members of the health committee of the previous Oireachtas. He and former Senator Jillian van Turnhout played pivotal roles. I hope that Senators will be a part of the new committee. There is no reason for it not to be a joint committee. The ratification can be amended to include us. It is a question of all voices being heard. If it is to be an inclusive ten-year strategy, it will get off to a bad start if Senators are excluded. I share Senator Colm Burke's view in that regard and I will raise it at today's meeting of the Whips and leaders.

Senator Mullen referred to a missing child and the role of the journalist, Ms Gemma O'Doherty. I will raise the matter with the Minister to get a response for the Senator. He also mentioned the issue of probate.

Alcohol was discussed by a number of Senators. I commend the all-party group on the briefing co-hosted by my colleague, Senator Noone. I congratulate her on her appointment as Deputy Leader, which I meant to do yesterday, and wish her well. Blessed am I among women, as I am the only male among the group leaders. I look forward to working with all of the women leaders, if I can use that word, of the groups.