Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator O'Mahony raised the important issue of water safety and the role of Irish Water Safety. It is important that we send out a message to the effect that it is important that people take care in harbours and on piers during the summer and that those who use our waters do so carefully and are sensible when using equipment. They should not contemplate consuming alcohol and then going on the water in a boat or on a hovercraft or swimming.

Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of protocols in respect of Ministers appearing in the House. I will facilitate any Minister coming to the House at the request of Members but I cannot ask the Minister to do A, B or C. However, I will raise her issue with the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. She could also intervene with the HSE as well.

Senators Black and Conway-Walsh referred to the presentation by the WALK organisation earlier and the role the latter plays in helping, and working with, people with disabilities. It is an important issue and I am sure we can make representations to the Minister regarding the funding issue raised by both Senators. I pay tribute to the work of the organisation.

Labhair an Seanadóir O'Reilly mar gheall ar chúrsaí samhraidh sa Ghaeilge. Tá na daltaí agus na mic léinn óga atá sa Daingean nó i nDún na nGall inniu ag foghlaim agus ag úsáid na Gaeilge. Tá an ceart ag an Seanadóir go bhfuil sé thar a bheith tábhachtach go bhfuil ár ndúchas á fhorbairt agus á phlé in áiteanna ar nós an Daingean ina bhfuil cúrsaí Gaeilge ar siúl. Tá suim mhór ag an Seanadóir O'Reilly sa Ghaeilge agus sa chultúr. Nuair a bhí mé ag caint leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Kyne, dúirt sé liom go bhfuil suim mhór aige teacht isteach sa Teach seo. B'fhéidir go mbeidh sé anseo tar éis an tsamhraidh.

Senator Wilson seconded the amendment to the Order of Business but I hope we can arrive at an accommodation with Senator Craughwell.

Senator Colm Burke raised an issue in respect of a Commencement Matter, which the Cathaoirleach has addressed. However, the Senator made a fundamental point, with which I completely agree, regarding the charity sector and the way in which the committee system is treated. When the Committee of Public Accounts seizes on an issue, every other committee has to stop dealing with it. The Senator is correct that the Joint Committee on Health and Children, of which we were both members during the previous Dáil, had representatives from the HSE before it to discuss section 38 and section 39 organisations. It was the sectoral committee for dealing with such matters. Perhaps there could have been a much better outcome if issues had been left to that committee. It is more disappointing that as part of the quarterly meetings the committee held with the Minister and HSE management, the Senator had tabled a question relevant to the matter he raised earlier and received a substantive reply but it was given in advance of the meeting, deliberately or otherwise, to members of the media, which prevented a proper debate at the committee because the issue was in the public domain. This issue poses a question about the role of sectoral committees. To be fair, the committee system works well. The clerks to committee with whom I have worked are extraordinary people and the commitment of members is equally important. We should examine the issue raised by Senator Colm Burke in the broader context of Oireachtas reform and how sectoral committees do their work.

Senator Feighan pointed out that it is Bastille Day. I wish our French brothers and sisters a happy holiday. He is correct that Euro 2016 was a wonderful experience and I compliment France, as the host nation, and pay tribute to the Irish fans.

I compliment the new British Prime Minister, Theresa May, and I wish her and her cabinet every success. The appointment of Boris Johnson is certainly interesting. As a campaigner for the "Leave" side, he will play a key role in developing relations, not just with Ireland but also with the EU and other countries. It is important that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who came to the House to debate Brexit, returns in the autumn to discuss how we play our part in the world in the post-Brexit era.

I agree with Senator Gavan, up to a point, with regard to chefs. It is extraordinary that there is a huge skills shortage in the hospitality sector. I am conscious that when I was a Member of the House previously, those of us who opposed the changing of the system in this sector were ridiculed but, unfortunately, we have been proven right. The issues the Senator raised regarding salaries, working conditions and flexibility need to be addressed. I would be happy to include them in a debate on the overarching policy relating to the hospitality and catering sector. It is predominantly young people who work in the sector and they are not prepared to work longer hours for less money when there should be greater flexibility. This relates to Senator Coghlan's point about tourism. We need a hospitality and catering sector that rolls out the red carpet and is welcoming but the men and women who work in it must be respected and valued, particularly in the context of pay and working conditions.

Senator Coghlan also referred to Brexit, to which I have referred, and to Fáilte Ireland and tourism. We should have a debate on tourism, not least because of the matter raised earlier but also because of issues relating to hotel availability in Dublin and the escalating cost of accommodation at a time the Government has reduced the VAT rate for the sector. It is being abused by the Irish Hotels Federation, IHF.