Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Ray Butler and Frank Feighan raised the issue of Aleppo. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House on this matter. It is important we put pressure on Russia and the United States to find a resolution to this. It is important we see both powers not scoring political points because people are being killed there while the survivors have nothing to look forward to in their futures. It is important we keep pressure on this matter. Senator Norris also spoke on that.

Senator Keith Swanick raised the important issue of tooth decay and youth dental treatment. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, has provided €2.5 million for the restoration of dental and optical treatment benefits. This issue has been raised for some time by the Irish Dental Association and its fine chief executive officer, Mr. Fintan Hourihan. It was a Fianna Fáil Minister, Mary Hanafin, who cut that benefit. It is right to restore it. The potential fundamental problems of the future must be tackled now. I agree with Senator Swanick on this matter and am happy to work with him on this.

Senator Victor Boyhan raised the issue of harbours and ports, a critical part of our infrastructure. The Port of Cork is a very important gateway for the city and the rest of Munster.

Senator Tim Lombard raised the contentious issue of the report on the merger of the two Cork local authorities. I welcome the appointment by the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, of a review of the report group. I am not so sure Senator Tim Lombard's call for a plebiscite is correct and I will respectfully disagree with him on that.

Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile raised the issue of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Irish Sign Language. Beidh an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Kyne, istigh sa Teach go luath i Mí na Samhna. As for the budget for the Irish language, the Minister has given an increase in the Gaeltacht support schemes of €440,000, an improvement to the tune of €250,000 for the Irish language support scheme, an extra €250,000 allocated to the 20-year strategy for the Irish language, along with an increase in the budget of An Coimisinéir Teanga. There has also been a €1 million increase in funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta, along with €9.275 million to assist the islands and €13.29 million to the agencies under the remit of An Coimisinéir Teanga. The Minister is committed to the Irish language, as all Members are. My biggest regret, as I have said before, is that having done leaving certificate honours Irish, I do not have the gift of comhrá. I do try.