Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 18 Senators who have replied to the Order of Business this morning. I join Senator Tim Lombard in paying tribute to the late councillor, Claire Cullinane, and in sympathising with her family on her very sudden death. She was a very powerful presence on Cork County Council who left an indelible mark.

Senator Daly raised the case of Ibrahim Halawa and we all share his concern and frustration over this. It is disappointing to note that the trial has been postponed again. A few things in his analysis, such as on the lack of intervention by Government, need to be clarified. On 12 November, and again on 17 November, the Taoiseach wrote to the President of Egypt urging him to return our citizen to Ireland without delay. On 12 November he spoke to the Egyptian ambassador and expressed concern about the delay. He also underlined the Government's strong desire for him to be returned to Ireland as a matter of urgency. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to liaise with the family and the embassy in Cairo and it maintains close and ongoing communications with lawyers in Egypt. In the Dáil, the Taoiseach has expressed his frustration and annoyance at the constant adjournments and delays in the trial. The Irish Government, though the Taoiseach, has been in direct contact with President el-Sisi on numerous occasions and the two men have met face to face to discuss the case on two occasions, as well as speaking on the telephone. We all join the Senator in wanting to see the matter resolved as this is an Irish citizen who needs to be brought back to his country. We need to work together as we have done in the past to ensure that happens.

Senators Daly, McDowell, Conway-Walsh, Black, Davitt, Humphreys and Wilson raised the housing and rental strategy launched yesterday. There will be no rush from this side of the House in the way we operate. The select committee passed Committee Stage of the Bill last night and it goes to the Dáil for Report Stage and Final Stage tomorrow and, perhaps, Friday. There was an opportunity to have a debate in this House on Friday but, in the interests of Members and given the importance of the legislation, I took the decision to have it on Tuesday afternoon instead.It is the intention, provided the Bill is passed in the Dáil, for it come back to us on Tuesday. We can sit as long as we want on Tuesday to discuss it. There will be no timelimit on Tuesday and we can sit until the wee hours of the morning until the Bill is finished. It is important to recognise that between now and then there needs to be much discussion between all sides in regard to the Bill. I am sure all Members have a view and the Minister will be ready to work with everyone to ensure the Bill that returns to the House is the best it possibly can be. The Bill is important. It is somewhat cheap to say the new provisions are about landlords or about protecting certain people. They are not. Rather, they are about creating certainty, security, ensuring we have supply and standards and that the Residential Tenancies Board is beefed up to ensure tenants' rights are protected.

None of us in politics wants to see people without houses or sleeping on the streets or in hotel rooms. All of us want people to be provided with housing, whether through the rental market or social or private housing. The language used on all sides of the House is important. Nobody flies a flag for any particular band of sectoral interests. This is all about people who require housing.

Senator Conway-Walsh once again questioned my understanding of economics, but that is okay. We will have a debate on the school transport scheme and the relevant Minister can come to the House, once she understands that the Sinn Féin history of high taxes and spending is the bedrock of where she comes from.

Senator Landy raised the very important issue of wind farms and matters before the courts. I would be happy for the Minister, Deputy Naughten, to come before the House in the new year to discuss the matter.

Senators McFadden, Butler and Lombard referred to Syria. It is fair to say we are all appalled at the lack of leadership in regard what is happening. George Osborne summed it up well yesterday when he spoke about a vacuum of leadership. We have not had the leadership we need in order to bring a resolution to the region. We all stand united in the condemnation of the attacks by the al-Assad regime and its allies. It is time the international community joined together to ensure that the barbaric behaviour comes to an end. There is no justification for this type of behaviour, good bad or indifferent. We have seen images of defenceless people being killed in their homeland. We need to see an end to the targeted attacks. That requires international leaders to stand up and be counted. I hope the Minister will do that on behalf of the Irish Government.

Senators Gavan and Colm Burke referred to private nursing homes. I will not go into that issue today, as it was discussed yesterday, but I would be happy for the relevant Minister to come to the house to deal with the matter. Senator Richmond made a proposal regarding the visits of Heads of State and Government. It is a very worthwhile proposal that should be considered by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I will be happy to have that discussion with the committee, through the good offices of the Cathaoirleach.

Senator Davitt referred to housing in Westmeath on which I would be happy to have a discussion. He could also table a Commencement Matter on the issue. Senator Humphreys referred to Airbnb, separate from to the rental strategy. The Minister spoke on the radio about the matter. The Senator has raised a very good point that needs to be addressed.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh referred to University Hospital Galway. I would be happy for the Minister to address the issue. He cannot table a Commencement Matter on the issue before Christmas because the Minister will be unable to come to the House before the Christmas holidays. I am aware that he is due to go to Galway. I am not sure of the exact date, but I know he is planning to visit a number of places.