Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The issue of Airbnb is a very important one that was rightly addressed. The Minister, Deputy Noonan, has been dealing with that issue. Senator Noone raised the issue yesterday in terms of housing and the critical need to increase supply in the private rented sector and in public housing. I will have the Minister come to the House on that issue.

Senator Richmond raised the issue of the international baccalaureate post-Brexit. I would be happy to have the Minister, Deputy Bruton, come to the House. The Senator has raised a very important point on that.

Senator Leyden, in his dynamic and unique style, raised the issue of rip-off Ireland. I assure him from a Government perspective, the Government is trying to reduce costs to the consumer. We are very mindful of the fact we are the custodians of the people while in Government. In terms of rip-off Ireland, the points the Senator makes are best taken up by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. The two bodies were amalgamated under the previous Government. The points the Senator makes are very important. The consumer should read the small print because sometimes when the doorbell rings and a person is asked to switch energy providers, which is just one example, the small print catches them out. He raised two issues in regard to the telecoms industry. The charges are exorbitant. I would be happy to have the Minister, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, come to the House. I am not quite sure what the Senator meant about RTE promoting North of the Border sales. Advertising is a source of income for the national broadcaster. The point he makes is worth looking at again.

Senator Craughwell raised a number of issues. I would be happy to work with him on the issues he raised. The important point from Senator Craughwell's point of view is that cross-Border smuggling is an ongoing issue. I commend the Leas-Chathaoirleach in his previous role as rapporteur of the report on that issue.The Government, through the Garda, Defence Forces and Customs and Excise, has been very vigilant on it, particularly around the North-South axis of the Border but equally on our coastline. We must be very vigilant and keep on top of it. I am happy the companies Senator Maria Byrne referenced have committed to staying in Ireland.

Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn raised the contentious issue of Lough Foyle. I share his view. At the recent North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Armagh, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, was very clear that he did not accept the British claim and wants the matter to be resolved. The Minister is on record as saying it at the meeting. The view of many of us in this part of the country is that there should be no hard border on land and no border at sea. I have always had the view that we have a part of the Lough Foyle jurisdiction and I see no reason it should be changed. If the Senator wants to raise it on the Commencement debate, he may.

Senator Frances Black raised the issue of lobbying. I commend the Senator on her very proactive work on alcohol. We need to be very strong on it. As part of our society and community, people are entitled to lobby. Every day, we are lobbied about legislation and issues. It is a question of how one differentiates between different types of lobbying. This is why the Regulation of Lobbying Act exists and there has to be a register.