Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The legislation has been subject to three months of consultation, as well as being the subject of more than 500 written submissions. I appeal to Members. The language we use is important. If we have learned anything from Brexit and the American election, it is that our language and what we say are critical. Let us not undermine the strategy or the process. Let us ensure we have a Bill that tenants and landlords will want to see passed in order that we can reach an outcome that will provide certainty and security. The last thing we, as Members of the House who are charged with the responsibility of enacting legislation, want is to have flawed legislation passed. That would not make sense and would be wrong. Let us have calm and reflection.

On what Senator Rose Conway-Walsh said about the banks, I do not like to hear her use words such as "robbery", "theft" and "lies". I would much prefer if we had a debate about the banking system letting people down. I would be very happy to arrange such a debate in the new year. We should all look at the report on the banking inquiry and what is stated in it and the other associated reports.

Senator Kevin Humphreys spoke about new politics. I remind him that what people do not want to see is old style Punch and Judy politics, to which he resorted. What they want to see is action being taken by all of us. I would be happy to have the Taoiseach come to the House at any time, but he is not the line Minister with responsibility for the Bill. The responsible Minister is Deputy Simon Coveney who I hope will be in the House on Tuesday to discuss the Bill. I would be happy for the Taoiseach to come to the House in the new year to discuss the issue of Seanad reform or any matter pertaining to his Department, but, please, let us put things in context.

I will not go through the contributions of all Senators on the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill.

I am very happy to accept Senator Mark Daly's amendment to the Order of Business. On a very serious note, I recognise the significance of the motion which conveys our thanks to the National Parks Service of the United States. As Senator Mark Daly rightly said, Ireland is just one of 17 countries to be given this distinction and unless I am mistaken, it is one of only five plaques to be placed at the Washington Monument, which is an indication of the significant contribution made by the State in the eyes of the United States of America. I thank the men and women of the National Parks Service of the United States which is part of the US Department of the Interior as it is an acknowledgement of the huge contribution made in the 1916 Rising, following which many people emigrated to the United States where they played a role in civic life. The motion is important and I am happy for it to be taken today.

Senator Fintan Warfield referred to the Genealogical Society of Ireland in Dún Laoghaire. I am not familiar with the case mentioned, but I would be happy for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, to come to the House to discuss the matter, most likely in the new year.

Senator Michelle Mulherin referred to the drug Orkambi. We all welcome the engagement of the drug company with the HSE and hope to see a positive outcome.

Senators Máire Devine, Kieran O'Donnell and Colm Burke raised the issue of staff in the Health Service Executive and the health system. I join Senator Máire Devine in thanking the men and women who work on the front line in the health service and all those who will be working on Christmas Day on behalf of the State. As someone who had the pleasure of working on Christmas Day when I worked in Cork University Hospital, I am aware that it is a day on which many people are separated from their loved ones, but they act in the spirit of serving others. I congratulate the Senator on raising the issue. However, I disagree with her assessment of the HSE's recruitment campaign which I believe is a good one. It is great that we are encouraging nurses to come home to work in the health system. The Senator should welcome people back into the health system with open arms. As we are crying out for people to work in the health system, we should encourage them to come back to work and live here. This has become a great country which we have rebuilt once again.