Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Craughwell raised the Social Welfare Bill. I am glad he jumped the gun a couple of months ago when he complained that Fine Gael Senators had met the Minister, Deputy Varadkar. I welcome the engagement of the Minister with the civic engagement group and with Members of the House on the Social Welfare Bill. It is important that PRSI contributions and classes of pension entitlements for councillors and citizens are taken on board.

Senator Devine raised the issue of mental health as well as domestic violence. The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Helen McEntee, has launched an initiative in this regard, which is a step in the right direction.As noted by Senator McFadden, A Vision for Change is the bible from which we work. It obviously needs to be updated, progressed and evolved into a living document in which one can see improvements. I will be happy to have the Minister come to the House in this regard.

Senators Alice-Mary Higgins and Frank Feighan raised the issue of the election of Mr. Trump to the presidency of the United States. As Leader of the House, I was present last week in the United States. It is fair to say that those who know me would say that I would not subscribe to the politics of the President-elect or the Vice President-elect, Mr. Pence. As a democrat, one lives by the ballot box and accepts the democratic decision of the people. In the case of America, the people voted and made a decision. We might not like it and might be disappointed with the result. I have very strong reservations about some of the policies and statements he espouses but we have a duty to work with the new President to protect and preserve jobs in our country and ensure that those of us of a different viewpoint educate him and highlight the need for work to continue on human and LGBT rights and on employment and the rights of workers, not just in the United States but across the world.

Like Senator Feighan, I believe we should give the man a chance and work with him to ensure he becomes President and has an opportunity to govern. After that, it is our duty, whether in respect of Syria, relations with Russia or immigrants and immigration, to promulgate our viewpoints. Those who support boycotting him or protesting should remember that the American people made a democratic decision which we must respect even if we might not like it. Those of us who stand for election in this country might not like the decision of the electorate, but one has to accept it. That is what democracy is about, namely, the sovereign will of the people. The vote of a billionaire is equal to the vote of a person with no money. That is the way it should be. Whether the electoral college system in America is changed is a different matter and not one for this Chamber. I hope that the President-elect is given the opportunity to take office and that those of us who are committed to a fairer and more just world with engage with him, will not be afraid to highlight our views and will not stand idly by if we disagree with some of his decisions or comments.

Senators Higgins and Coffey referred to climate change. Today, the Minister, Deputy Naughten, is in Marrakesh at the UN Convention. I am sure he will come to the House. He spoke about Ireland reducing its carbon footprint and the importance of taking our responsibilities seriously. Senator Coffey is correct. Penalties are being imposed on Ireland and we must live up to our responsibilities. Equally, there are those who oppose everything, whether it is wind farms or solar energy. We need to have a national conversation on how we can reduce our carbon footprint. We also need to ensure that renewable energies can be delivered. There is an economic challenge in that regard. Building from the Paris Agreement of 12 months ago, it is also important that we take our responsibilities seriously, not just for ourselves but for future generations so they have an environment that is presentable and habitable. It is a duty to which we have to live up.

Senator Davitt referred to cybercrime, which, as he said, is increasing. I have been informed that additional staff will be allocated to the computer crime investigation unit under the Garda national fraud bureau. I accept his point that staff numbers were reduced from 31 to 29. It is important that the numbers increase.

Senator Landy referred to Brexit, its impact on the agrifood industry and the importance of working with SMEs. I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House to deal with that issue.

Senators Landy, Coghlan, Wilson, Ned O'Sullivan, Feighan, Richmond, Boyhan and Craughwell referred to the Rugby World Cup. It is important that we welcome the support of all sporting organisations and sections of Irish industry for the proposal to host the tournament. As I said yesterday, it is important that we support the 2023 bid. Great credit is due to Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, of which I am a member, for having the foresight, under the presidency of Mr. Seán Kelly, MEP, to change rule 42.

It is great that we speak of an Ireland where we are rushing to welcome the Rugby World Cup to stadiums like those in Thurles, Breffni Park, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Nowlan Park, Croke Park or whatever. I was not a party to the decision to exclude Thurles. All I can say to those who are of the sporting mentality is that it is a fantastic stadium. I heard some commentary on the radio today about access from the main Cork to Dublin road. I am very happy to travel to and from Thurles. It is not that bad of a journey. Those who said it was a difficulty are misguided.

Senator Coghlan referred to Fitzgerald Stadium. Having been there on many occasions for the defeat of the team I support, I am not sure whether it should be included. I am joking.