Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators, 21 of whom raised matters in the Order of Business this morning. Before I reply, on yesterday's Order of Business Senator Paddy Burke raised the EU Council's decision on the EU-Canada free trade agreement. For the information of the House, the agreement can or may be applied on a provisional basis once the Council has agreed and the European Parliament has given its assent. Member states will then have to ratify the agreement. That means that the agreement would be brought to the Oireachtas for ratification following the conclusion of procedures by the Council and the European Parliament. Members will be aware of that from yesterday.

On this morning's Order of Business, I thank Senator Ardagh for raising the very important issue of speech and language therapy. She is correct in that early diagnosis and intervention is critical. There are commitments in the programme for Government to review the provision of services to children with additional needs. There is a cross-sectoral team of officials from the Department of Health, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and the Department of Education and Skills meeting with the HSE this Friday to proceed and move matters forward. One of the key agenda items for that meeting is speech and language therapy and the provision of services. I will seek further information for the Senator on that. It is a topic we will come back to because it is one we need to highlight in this House. I understand the issues she raises. There has been investment in the services and recruitment of staff. There is a deficit and further work needs to be done. I would be happy to move that on for her as I am with her on that.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of the Attorney General. That is not a matter for the House. I do not want to dwell on it but she is the law officer to the Government. Her advice is given in a considered manner, rather than as a cavalier approach.

Labhair an Seanadóir Ó Clochartaigh mar gheall ar chúrsaí bruscair. Bhí mé ag caint leis an Aire agus is dóigh liom go dtiocfaidh sé ar ais chugam Dé Máirt nó Dé Céadaoin seo chugainn. Is dóigh liom freisin go mbeidh sé ag caint leis an Seanadóir.

Senators Ó Clochartaigh, Gallagher, Mulherin and Coghlan raised the incident in Monaghan. I do not have all the information but the information I have to hand is that members of the Defence Forces were asked to carry out this exercise, if I can use that term, which was the destruction of five animals --- the killing of them --- on a farm in County Monaghan out of concern for health and safety, and for public safety. The operation was carried out at the request of the official assignee responsible for the herd, in conjunction of the Garda Síochána, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Defence Forces, in keeping with official protocol. The carcasses were removed and not included in the food chain. I will seek to get more information for Members if that is what they want, but that is the information I have.

I would be happy to have a debate on school transport at the earliest convenience. I again thank Senator Black and acknowledge her work regarding alcohol, highlighting misuse of alcohol and the effect it has on children. The all-party committee on health in the last Oireachtas brought forward the pre-legislative scrutiny of the public Sale of Alcohol Bill, which is coming before the House again in the autumn. I am sure we can address it then.

Senator Ó Ríordáin raised the schools admissions policy. The Bill will be before the House. There will be an opportunity for him to discuss it with the Minister. To facilitate the passage of the Bill, perhaps we will arrange a briefing for Members and the Cathaoirleach.

Senators O'Mahony and Landy raised the important issue of passports. I welcome the allocation of new staff. The issue of a reminder notice is one we should pursue with the Department.

Senator Gallagher raised the very important issue of repatriation. I, too, join with him in sympathising with Colin and Eithne Bell and pay tribute to them for the work they are doing. I know there is discussion around the issue of repatriation of bodies. Again, perhaps it is something we can work on together. It is an issue that affects many of our families and communities. Dealing with the death of a loved one is a source of huge stress, and then the bureaucratic nightmare of trying to get a body home is heartbreaking on top of the bereavement. We can certainly take that up with the Minister and the Department.

Senator Ray Butler raised the North-South interconnector. I am not going to get into a debate about the Wombles, but we can have the Minister into the House regarding the interconnector issue. I hope, in keeping with the new politics, Members opposite will be able to work with Senator Butler to ensure we have an outcome in keeping with the mood of the people in that area. The oral hearing is ongoing. I attended it one day as part of the Seanad campaign, so I saw at first hand the tension and anxiety of residents in that part of the country.

Senator Wilson raised the death of Séamus Mac Géidigh. He was a broadcaster of high repute. He was a man of integrity in the promotion of Irish language and culture. He had the listeners to his local radio station enthralled with his commentary. We send our sympathies to his wife Dolores and his family on his untimely death.

I thank Senator Tim Lombard for raising the scourge of Japanese knotweed. He will be aware that in his own area of Minane Bridge there is a very impressive company, Japanese Knotweed Ireland Limited, dealing with it, which has been in contact with many of us on this issue. It is something on which we need a national strategy. I would be happy to get the Minister to come to the House on that.

Senator Máire Devine raised the issue of psychiatric nurses, of which the Government recognises the importance and the serious issues that have been raised in this dispute. It is important to say that there is a mechanism the State uses to resolve industrial disputes. That should be used at all times. In saying that, there is also the issue of maintaining services with staffing that is safe so we fill the vacant posts in the mental health service. Recruitment of people is taking place in a variety of places and positions in mental health. The former Minister of State, Kathleen Lynch, was a strong advocate on behalf of mental health services. I am sure that the present Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, will be as well. It is important that the new posts are filled. As the Senator is aware, 1,500 new posts have been approved since 2012 and 1,150 have been filled. The issue needs to be addressed and I hope the mechanisms in place can be used to do that.

Senator Feighan raised UK-EU relations regarding the fuel allowance. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, will be here next Tuesday to discuss issues around social protection. He can perhaps address that issue as part of that.

Senators Clifford-Lee and Noone raised the very important issue of the forthcoming auction in Christie's of the Beit collection in Russborough House. I will be in communication with the Minister after the Order of Business today. It is important that every avenue should be used not to have paintings sold and leave our jurisdiction, or even to go into private hands. I hope we can address that.

Senator Landy with Senator Colm Burke raised the new tenant purchase scheme. I would be happy to get the Minister to come to the House to discuss that. It is important that we have a resolution to it.

Senators Colm Burke, Kieran O'Donnell and Warfield raised the issue of books, procurement and the tendering process.I share very much the views expressed by the Senators. Today is not just about the books, but is also about the importance of the public procurement process and the need for Ireland as a small island nation to recognise the importance of those small, family-run businesses providing services and products to a multiplicity of State agencies. They should be allowed to continue to tender in a real way and not just cosmetically. The framework process is one that needs to be changed and I am very happy that the Minister of State, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, should come to the House to discuss it. Hopefully, he will be here on foot of the summer statements next week. It is important to have a debate on this and, as such, I will try to facilitate one before the summer recess. To assist Members, it would be useful if there could be a Commencement matter on it also. I think that would find universal, cross-party support. If the rules of the House allow, there should be a joint Commencement matter from Senators to get that on the agenda as well. It is important.

Senator Maria Byrne raised the issue of the M7 and eFlow tags. That is something the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, must address. The Minister was instrumental in his previous existence in having the toll bridge on the M50 switched to the EazyPass system. I hope we can address that matter. I am not sure if the Senator is referring to the toll at Portlaoise, but as someone who uses the M7, I note that a tag would be important to facilitate speedier commuting times.

Senator Noone raised the issue of communications. We have asked the Minister to come to the House to discuss broadband and phone coverage. I thank the parties in the House for their co-operation in advance of the motion on the appointment of members of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission.