Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Grace O'Sullivan raised the important issue of cycle safety. I join her in offering my sympathies to the families of the three cyclists who were killed, Donna Fox, Tim Ross and Daniel Roche. Any life lost on our roads is a tragedy but it is particularly tragic when a young lad is killed while cycling to school. We have a national cycling policy. In light of the report from the Committee on Budgetary Oversight calling for climate change proofing, we must clearly address the issue of cycle safety. I will be happy to have the Minister appear before the House.

Senator Bacik, who also raised the issue of cycle safety, referred to a Private Members' Bill introduced by the Labour Party. According to the information available to me, the relevant amendments are being finalised in the Office of the Attorney General. They will then go before the Cabinet for approval, after which they will be tabled in the House for further debate on Report Stage. I understand Report Stage is due to be taken by the end of October but I will revert to the Labour Party Senators on the matter.

Senator Bacik also referred to developments in Aleppo and Syria. I, too, encourage the Russians to engage. They have an obligation and a duty to do so. I note the decision by the Government of the United States to suspend talks with Russia. All of us who are concerned about peace and the protection of life want a resolution to the war in Syria. Having listened to the stories of some of the men and women of the Naval Service who returned from the Mediterranean last week, one cannot but view this matter as one of extreme urgency. I will ask the Minister to come to the House. Senator Bacik also called for a debate with the Minister for Education and Skills on the issue of higher education. The Minister will be in the House next week for a debate on education.

Senator Richmond raised the issue of Erasmus students at third level. He can raise this issue with the Minister during the debate on education.

Senators Gallagher, Lombard and Mac Lochlainn called for a derogation to be introduced in respect of the deadline for slurry spreading, which falls in ten days' time. As the Senators noted, it is too late to provide a derogation on the day before the deadline. If I am not mistaken, a derogation was applied several years ago. I will raise the matter with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed. This is an important issue because we had a large amount of rainfall over the summer and, as Senator Lombard correctly noted, crops are still being harvested on unsuitable ground.

Senator Mulherin raised the farm assist scheme. This is also a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine who is willing to come to the House.It is just a matter of getting him to the House between the European Union, diaries and other events but he will come to the House in the next couple of weeks.

Senator Devine raised the important issue of the malaria drug. As the Senator knows, any issue regarding medications, tetanus or injections received by members of our Defence Forces is taken by the medical officers of the Defence Forces. Everything is done with the health and safety of those men and women who serve in mind. The drug in question has been prescribed and my information is that all members of the Defence Forces are individually screened for their suitability and fitness. There is no plan as yet to remove that drug from the list. I will take the matter up with the Minister for Defence. It is important that rather than us creating hysteria, we acknowledge that it is taken medically. It is not a decision made by a member of the Government or by an administrative officer or by someone in the Civil Service. It is by the medical officers of the Defence Forces.

With regard to Senator Colm Burke's contribution on commercial rates, he has raised a very important point on giving more power to local councils and local councillors. I will bring the Minister, Deputy Coveney, into the House on this issue. Senator Humphreys discussed the priorities of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, at that Department. I would be happy for the Minister, Deputy Ross, to come to the House regarding that matter. Senator Humphreys also raised the issue of cycle ways, which I have discussed already.

Senators Davitt and Craughwell both spoke on the conditions and service of members of local authorities. I first want to compliment the Local Authorities Members Association for the very fine conference in Bantry at the weekend. I am sure many of us attended the very positive LAMA event. There was a great sense that reform and change are needed at local government level. The local authority members who attended the event were concerned, not about pay and conditions, but about how they can better serve their communities. That was the sense I got from the event.

I do not know where Senator Davitt is coming from with regard to his comments about the two Ministers, but they are the Ministers who are involved in the pension K class issue which was also raised by Senator Colm Burke. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, is the line Minister with responsibility for the role and functions of councillors. Like Senator Craughwell, I very much hope the Minister will meet with the cross-party group which we set up in this House. I thank the Senator for his remarks which were necessary. For the majority of Senators who serve in this House, our constituents are the councillors, and I genuinely believe it is important that we work with one voice, in unison, not just about terms and conditions for councillors, but also how we can make local government better, and all that encompasses.

Senator Ó Donnghaile raised the issue of the attack on Fr. Gary Donegan. It is an appalling travesty that a reverend gentleman, who works so much to bring peace and reconciliation in the North, would be subject to this type of violence, for whatever reason. I do not want to give it a title but I believe the attack is condemned by all in the House. We wish him well and thank him for the work he and Fr. Aidan Troy have done. Those of us who are interested in bringing peace to our island and in seeing our island united know that it cannot be done by this type of provocation. It is only by working together and by bringing people together that we can achieve peace on our island. I thank Senator Ó Donnghaile for raising the matter.

Senator Swanick raised the very important issue of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is a silent killer and is an issue we need to constantly raise, not just this week, which is carbon monoxide awareness week. The Senator is correct when he spoke of people not realising the importance of having their boiler, the gas fire in their house or the boiler lights checked or whatever servicing is required. I would be happy to have the Minister or the Ministers, because it does fall between two Departments, come to the House regarding that matter.

Senator Norris raised the matter of the self-employed. However, he neglected to commend Senator Ray Butler who had a Private Members' Bill before the House before the summer. I am pleased the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, is looking at the PRSI contribution of the self-employed. I will come back to Senator Norris regarding that issue.

Senator Gavan spoke about the Bank of Ireland and the Palestinian solidarity campaign account. I cannot give answers as to why Bank of Ireland has done this. I know that bank accounts across parts of Europe have been closed also. It is a matter for the bank to give its reasons.I understand there was some correspondence with the group in early summer, based on what I read in newspapers and online. It is an issue the bank needs to resolve. There are two sides to the story and I do not have both.