Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have asked him to come in and he has given a commitment to come to the House.

I commend the Green Party for its proposed legislation on microbeads. I heard the Minister discussing the issue this morning on "Morning Ireland". There is a knock-on effect and we need to have a conversation about it.

I have already dealt with the issues raised by Senator Norris.

Senator Michelle Mulherin raised the important issue of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Minister, Deputy Naughten, has been before the House and will return to it.

I join with Senator Clifford-Lee on the points she raised regarding child care and the need to discuss a comprehensive suite of measures to solve, in so far as we can, the issue of the cost of child care. I welcome her to the Fine Gael position on the squeezed middle and thank her for joining us. She is right in raising the issue of the squeezed middle. There is now a group of people who pay for everything and feel they get nothing in return. They are looking to all of us-----