Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am happy for the Minister of State, Deputy Keogh, to come to the House to discuss the matter. I think I speak for all of us in the House when I say we do not want to have a hard border return. It would be economically unsound, unwise and wrong for us as a country. That is the overwhelming view of Members.

Senator Mac Lochlainn referred to the Gaeltacht. If he wants to give me the details later, I would be happy to have them sent to the Minister directly. The Government is committed to coming to the House regarding the Department. Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the matter last week. The Minister is willing to come to the House; it is a matter of selecting dates.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan raised the issue of public service pensions and budget kite flying. It is important that we have a debate about the role of public servants and the manner in which, in some cases, they are being pilloried and viewed by some commentariats. It is important that we have a debate on the role of public services, the way in which we can fund them and the work that is being done.

It is clear that some Ministers will engage in kite flying. I wish they did not because sometimes they scare people or create panic. On other occasions, it gives people like Senator O'Sullivan an opportunity to fly kites. In this case, it is an issue that should be debated.

Senator Warfield raised the very important issue of the arts. I was aware that the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, had not come before the House. I will again take the points he raised. We have a world-class industry and if one travels the world one finds the Irish diaspora is empowered by our music, song, dance and creative arts. It is important that we have that debate. I recently attended a screening of "The Young Offenders" which was filmed in Cork. It was a fantastic film and a great advertisement for our film industry. In particular, it wove in the strands of tourism, culture and our people. The Senator's points are very well made and I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House. Again, it is a matter of finding the time and a suitable date. I will endeavour to have her come before the House.