Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Another Senator also raised the issue of housing. I will be happy to invite the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to the House to discuss it. As I said, I share Senator Davitt's concerns about that.

Senators Freeman, Craughwell and Swanick raised the issue of mental health. I would welcome if the Minister, Deputy Harris, or the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, could come to the House to discuss it. I doubt that either of them would have a problem doing that to clarify the position. A total of €35 million in new services will be initiated in 2017, to add to the €35 million provided in 2016. It remains in the base funding of mental health services. I will invite the Minister as requested.

Senator Gavan spoke about the Lansdowne Road agreement and strike action. In light of recent developments, we are all concerned about the various strikes that have been threatened. I will be happy to suggest that we invite the Minister to the House to discuss these matters, which are of great concern to most citizens.

Senator Black raised fishing quotas, natural resources and super-trawlers. It is a matter that has not been discussed in the House during this term and I am sure the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will be happy to come to the House to discuss it. Senator Mac Lochlainn raised that issue too. I will invite the Minister to the House.

Senator Ó Ríordáin spoke about Mr. Trump. I believe it is the only issue people in the country have been talking about since yesterday. We are trying to come to terms with what has happened. I share the concerns about Mr. Trump. I would have preferred to be speaking about a President Clinton but I agree with comments that Ireland and the US, regardless of the president in office, will have to work to ensure they have a relationship. We have citizens in the United States who need our protection. People can make whatever comments they wish about St. Patrick's Day but it is a useful time for us to be in the US and to promote Ireland. Bernie Sanders said a few hours ago:

To the degree that Mr. Trump is serious about pursuing policies that improve the lives of working families in the country, I and other progressives are prepared to work with him. To the degree that he pursues racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, we will vigorously oppose him.