Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would be happy to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to the House.

Senators Ruane, Warfield and O'Reilly referred to education. The Cassells report has been published. There are different viewpoints in it. What we all aspire to and what we all want is to ensure people have access to affordable education. The rainbow coalition introduced free third level fees and this cost has increased exponentially over the years. I am not sure about the remarks by the Minister of State, Deputy Murphy, but I think he was referring to the international European school and attracting foreign direct investment into the country post-Brexit.

Senators Humphreys and Boyhan mentioned International Credit Union Day. I join them in congratulating members of the credit union movement on the work they do. I am a former supervisor in my own credit union in Bishopstown and I am aware it plays an important role in the lives of people.

Collective Cabinet responsibility has not changed. I agree that when the Cabinet makes a decision, it is a collective decision and, therefore, all members of the Cabinet are bound by it, unless they choose to resign. As regards the eighth amendment, a Citizens' Assembly has been set up and it behoves Oireachtas Members and Ministers to stand by it and allow it to do its work. Another motion before this House or the Dáil relating to the amendment is unhelpful and it only serves to create political controversy. There is a process in place and it should be allowed to proceed in order that all options can be explored. The assembly can come back with a plan of action to Government which will then refer it to a committee before, ultimately, the people decide. That is what should happen.

Senator Byrne raised the issue of Garda vetting and the industrial dispute. I will ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House.

Senator Davitt called on the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to come to the House to discuss housing. The Finance Bill will be before the House in the next few weeks and that will present an opportunity to discuss the issue. It is important that housing supply increases and that first-time buyers can buy houses.

Senator Reilly referred to early school leavers, which is an important issue. The former Ministers of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputies Sherlock and English, and the current Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, have begun the process of addressing it through the apprenticeship programme.

I thank Senator Devine for raising the important work One in Four is doing. She is correct that the protection of our children is important. That is why we had a children's referendum and why we appointed the first Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to Cabinet. We need to be proactive about this and I would be happy to have a debate with the Minister.

Senator Hopkins raised the issue of mental health. The Minister of State with responsibility for mental health issues, Deputy McEntee, is happy to come to the House.

Senator Gallagher asked about the minor works scheme. The Minister for Education and Skills announced in the budget debate that further projects will be announced under the summer works scheme in early 2017. The details will be outlined then.

I commend Senator Bacik on the motion she has tabled on Syria and on the work she had done on that. It is an all-party motion and I am happy to work with her on it.

Yesterday, Senator Kelleher raised the issue of vulnerable child refugees. The Minister for Justice and Equality will come to the House to discuss that.

Senator McFadden had a question about the important issue of housing for ex-servicemen and women and I would be happy to invite the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in to discuss that.

Senator Ó Domhnaill raised the issue of regional and rural development. The Minister for the Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs will be in the House on 17 November for a debate.

Senators Feighan and Humphreys mentioned Airbnb. The Government reduced the VAT rate for the hospitality sector but hotels are raising prices and forcing people to pay exorbitant fees for rooms. That is not in the spirit of what the Government intended. The VAT rate reduction was designed to attract visitors and mobilise local economies. I appeal to hoteliers again to reconsider their prices.

Senator Butler raised the issue of the retail sector in rural Ireland. That can be raised with the Minister for the Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs or the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when they visit the House. He is correct that parking fees are an issue and we must get the balance right.