Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 19 Senators who raised various matters this morning. I will begin with those raised by Senators Ardagh and Humphreys. To be fair to Senator Ardagh, she is very good at representing her local community. I think the matter she raised should be taken up with Dublin City Council in the first instance. I hope we do not see Dublin 8 and Dublin 12 being used as dumping grounds. As this is a planning matter, Dublin City Council has jurisdiction over it.

I agree with Senator Humphreys that the housing crisis needs to be addressed. There is a particular need to address the issue of supply. Obviously, an integration policy is needed when social housing or rapid-build housing is being developed. There is a whole-of-government response led by the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister of State, Deputy English. To be fair to the Minister, this has been a priority for him and for the Government. It is important to consider this in perspective. I completely agree with Senator Humphreys that representatives of Anti-Austerity Alliance–People Before Profit, in particular, are leading the charge against the provision of housing in many parts of the country where housing should be provided. I do not include Senator Ardagh in that group. She made a good point about integration and the need for a strategy around where housing is located. I suggest that she should take this matter up with the Minister. I would be happy to communicate with him on behalf of the Senator.

Senator Boyhan spoke about the Parole Board and raised the issue of planning. I will be happy to ask the relevant Minister to come to the House.

A number of Senators called for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, to come to the House. I would like to inform them that he will be in the Seanad on 17 November next to discuss the transport matters relating to his portfolio, including the issue of ports. I think Senator Boyhan is right about the ports strategy and the national ports policy. The Cathaoirleach made many good points in a previous Seanad about the ports policy of the time and the changes that were being made. Perhaps the wise words we heard from him then are coming home to roost now in some elements of this country's ports policy. We must ensure the question of the importance of our strategic ports is addressed with the Minister.

I apologise for the miscommunication and misunderstanding with Senator Grace O'Sullivan yesterday. I will be happy to accept her amendment to the Order of Business. I thank her for raising the matter this afternoon.

Senators Ó Ríordáin, Ó Clochartaigh, Gallagher and Devine raised the issue of today's strike. Senator Devine used one of her humorous lines. I want to put something on the record without getting into a political row. Language is important. It is completely wrong for Members to say that Fine Gael, as the lead party in the Government, does not understand what is happening with public sector workers or that it has not been engaged.