Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend Senator Dolan's work. Last Saturday was International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy McGrath, will issue a statement later today about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I understand from the Senator's remarks and the Minister of State's remarks that it will not be ratified by Christmas because the enactment of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 has an impact on it. We must aspire to having it signed into law. All sides aspire to that. I hope we will do that before the end of the first quarter of 2017. I will be happy to invite the Taoiseach to the House at a later date.

Senators Coghlan and Ned O'Sullivan mentioned the red deer in Killarney National Park. This is a very serious matter. Many of us would have a very uneasy feeling about hunter tourists. The matter is being investigated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service which is meeting with the Wild Deer Association of Ireland which has made the allegation. The licensing period is 1 September to 28 February. I am told, however, that permission is only granted where there is evidence of danger and a person can get a licence only on a case-by-case basis and must outline why the culling is taking place. The Senator might submit a Commencement matter on this issue or we can invite the Minister to the House, whichever the Cathaoirleach decrees.

Senators Ned O'Sullivan and Ó Clochartaigh raised the matter of pay-per-weight waste collection. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, has announced that it will not happen at the start of next year but in the middle of 2017. There will be no dual pricing system in that period. There is an opportunity for us to have a debate on the matter in the new year. I would be happy to invite the Minister to the House to discuss that. As Senator Ó Clochartaigh said, it shows the importance of this House that we could have the debate at an early stage and inform the Minister of our shared experience.

Senator Ó Domhnaill raised the issue of the North Dakota pipeline. I would be happy to have the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade raise the matter with his relevant counterparts in the United States. Senator Feighan raised the matter of postage stamps. I would be happy to invite the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to the House to discuss the matter.

Senator O'Donnell raised the question of a particular gentleman whom I cannot name coming to the House. That is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP. The Cathaoirleach has given a ruling on that and I will be happy to have the matter debated at the CPP.

Senators Norris and Craughwell spoke about the funding of pensions at Independent News and Media, INM. It is disappointing and upsetting for people who have paid into a pension scheme to be suddenly faced with a payment cut of 70% or whatever it is.