Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hope we can always call out people when they are wrong. The Victory Fund is an organisation that funds and supports LGBT candidates in the US. It is a source of joy that 86 candidates were elected to state or national parliaments in America last week. The new Governor of Oregon, Kate Brown, is the first LGBT governor to be elected. I had the privilege of meeting a young elected candidate, Julian Cyr, in Massachusetts during the summer. The Attorney General of Massachusetts, Maura Healey, is working with all men and women of the LGBT community. Senator Warfield is right when he makes the important point that generations of young people are watching what is going to happen in America. Gay, lesbian and transgender people are questioning their identities and themselves today. As a country, and as legislators across the world, we must stand as a beacon for them and work with them to ensure they are treated properly and with dignity, fairness and compassion.

Senator Butler spoke about an incident in Trim. The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, will be in the House tomorrow to discuss these issues. I will be happy to have them discussed once more.

Senators Ó Clochartaigh and Noone raised the issues of homelessness and housing. The Minister will be in the House again tomorrow to discuss the Bill. I hope the matters highlighted by the Senators can be mentioned during that debate. If they have issues that need to be addressed separately, I will be happy to facilitate that.

Senator Humphreys spoke about the future health care strategy. It is a source of huge disappointment to me as Leader of the Seanad and to the Members of this House that Senators have not been appointed as equal members of the committee. It is disappointing that the Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin members of the committee did not support us when we tried to make a change because the committee lacks the expertise of Senators from all sides of the House. People on the Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Fine Gael, Labour Party and Independent benches have medical and health expertise that would add to that committee.There are people who have medical and health expertise who will add to that committee. It is disappointing. The Senator referred to the water commission. I have not been consulted regarding its composition. I heard of the appointment of Senator Ó Céidigh on "Morning Ireland" on Monday. I am not sure who has been in contact regarding the appointments or the structure of the committee. I am led to believe there will be four Members of the Seanad on it. I am not sure who they will be but my understanding, from talking to our Whip’s office, is that they will be from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil and two Independent groups, the Civil Engagement group and Senator Ó Céidigh as Cathaoirleach. My information is that the Labour Party was not anxious to be on the committee. I am open to correction on that.