Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Victor Boyhan called for a debate on the refugee crisis. I am happy to ask the relevant Minister to come to the House. The Senator is correct that it is an important matter in respect of which we should not seek to obfuscate or dilute our responsibility. To be fair to the Minister, she has never flinched from that responsibility, nor has the State. This is about ensuring that we do what is right. The State will not be found wanting in that regard.

Senators Gavan, Norris and Mulherrin raised the issue of the passing of Fidel Castro. The death of Fidel Castro has illustrated that he is as large in death as he was in life. He was a complex person. We all have different views about Fidel Castro. What is clear is that he was a major force in the 20th century. He did undoubtedly pursue a model of delivery of education and health in his country that has found favour with some but there are other aspects of his actions that must be questioned. However, this is not the time to do that. We should allow him to be mourned by those who supported him. His denial of freedom of expression and free elections in Cuba and his suppression of opposition and persecution of men and women of the LGBT community leaves a landscape that I do not salute. In death, we should mourn-----