Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ar dtús báire, cuirim fíor-fháilte roimh an Taoiseach. Gabhaim mo bhuíochas agus mo thacaíocht leis as ucht an chomhrá agus an méid oibre atá le déanamh ar son an ghnáthdhuine ar fud na tíre.

In welcoming the Taoiseach to the Chamber today, I hope his presence here will be a continuing one. His address has highlighted many key issues. Listening to some of the comments in the House today, I am reminded that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I will not go into the parish pump issues that have been addressed either directly or indirectly.

The themes addressed by the Taoiseach highlight the fragility faced by the world and by Ireland within the EU, whether it concerns Brexit or our own existence in Seanad Éireann, including how we are elected. Other issues include the budget and the country's economic outlook within the EU, the eighth amendment, the pressing issue of housing, and the Government's approach to how it governs. That requires leadership and a holistic approach by Members of the Oireachtas. I am confident that under the Taoiseach's leadership, the programme for Government, which is committed to a just society based on a resilient economy, will be achieved. Those who naval gaze should look at how far the country has come in the five short years that Deputy Enda Kenny has been Taoiseach. Unemployment has fallen, our economy is growing and the public finances are secure. We have seen profound change in the social lives of many people, and some of us are now more equal than we were.

When I hear people talking about Apple, I ask them to visit Cork city or other areas where thousands of people are directly employed by multinationals or in ancillary services. Our country is viewed around the world as one whose economy is growing and people are employed at home. We are welcoming home our returning emigrants today.

Earlier today, together with Senator Lawless, I met the Governor of Michigan. We had discussions about attracting people to invest here, which will have a positive outcome. Challenges remain, including Brexit, public service pay and other demands. However, we can see how a growing economy benefits many people with the fruits of that being invested in our country.

The budget in October will probably be the most important one we have ever faced as a nation. We should deal with it prudently and based on how we can improve people's lives in a tangible and meaningful way. It is important to improve people's lives but in so doing there is a duty on all of us to recognise that the Government does not have a pot of gold to float every boat and make everyone happy.

The changed political landscape presents us with a challenge because no party has a majority. I wish to thank all Members of this House for their co-operation and willingness to work together in a spirit that has seen us do business better and differently. I commend all Senators for that. I refer in particular to Senator Lawless as a member of the diaspora and a citizen of this country. Having visited America during the summer, I know that his work is having an impact. I wish him well in his continuing endeavours. Some people criticised and questioned his appointment, but I know from talking to members of the Irish diaspora in the United States that they see his appointment as an important one that values their work. This concerns not only the undocumented Irish, but also the efforts to bring people home to work here, as well as bringing investment to our country.

In his remarks, the Taoiseach spoke about leaving nobody behind. This is a partnership Government and it is important that that partnership reaches beyond the Cabinet room or Dáil Chamber and is also extended to this House. Seanad reform was agreed in the programme for Government. As Leader of the House, I welcome the opportunity to work with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, the Minister of State, Deputy English, other Ministers and all sides of the House to bring about reform.

As a former Chairman of a committee, I recognise the importance of bringing Oireachtas reform to the people. The committee system is the most pivotal part of what we do in this House, yet it gets lost in the cauldron of debate in both Chambers. Nonetheless, the committee system has demonstrated that it can work quite well on behalf of the people.

As Leader of this House, I am committed to bringing in a second Private Members' motion which we discussed briefly yesterday at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. The Seanad consultation committee has been re-established. It is important to reach beyond the gates of Leinster House to the communities we serve and those whom we represent. They say that Senators do not have a constituency, but we are here to work on behalf of the people. As Seanadóirí, we must go beyond the gates to reach out to the public. I hope the Seanad consultation committee can do so again.Thanks to the initiative of Senator O'Donnell, we will have a continuing Brexit debate. I look forward to working with the Taoiseach on the implementation body to bring Seanad reform, whatever it brings, to the Upper House. It is important that we continue, collectively, to bring reform of the Seanad to fruition.

I will speak to the issue of the citizens' assembly. As somebody who served on the Constitutional Convention and chaired the health committee dealing with the protection of life during pregnancy legislation, I very much welcome the establishment of a citizens' assembly. I spoke in the House yesterday about the benefits of it and the need to be temperate in our language when we approach what is a very sensitive topic. Equally, we must empower the citizens' assembly so it can do its work and bring forward its report. We should give it our support as Members of this House. The ten-year health strategy is important and we all hope it will be successful and we can sign up to it. It is disappointing that no Members of this House have yet been appointed to the group discussing the strategy. In this House we have experts in the health area who are willing to engage and be part of that process.

As the Taoiseach stated, we cannot go back to the old days. We are ambitious for ourselves and our people in this House. The Taoiseach and his Government are the same. I commend the Taoiseach on his work and wish him well in the endeavours he will continue. I hope the people will continue to see increased employment and consequent benefits to all our lives.