Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would make the point to Senator Dolan that we have set up quite a few cross-party subgroups in this House and perhaps we should consider setting one up for disability too. In that way we can work across party lines as we are doing on mental health and obesity and as we did on symphysiotomy in the previous Oireachtas. I would be happy to talk to the Senator further on that. I would also be happy to raise it the group meeting of leaders tomorrow because it is an important issue.

Senators Bacik and Conway raised the issue of the Government's decision on foot of the recommendations in Mr. Justice Iarflhaith O'Neill's report on whistleblowers. I welcome the announcement made earlier today. I would be happy to organise debates on Syria and on US immigration policy. Senator Martin Conway posed a question about the use of taxes and tax increases which, perhaps, is an issue for debate prior to the budget. I will be happy to ask the Minister for Finance to come to the House to debate it.

Senator Mark Daly spoke about the DUP leader and a multiplicity of other issues. I do not propose to get into the nuances of the election campaign in the North. However, I share the views of the Senator and those of Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee on a different point about the Irish language, that it is important that people in the North who use Irish as their first language be supported in that regard. I have previously expressed the view which I reiterate today that the decision to withdraw funding for Irish language summer schools only to reinstate it was wrong. It should never have been withdrawn. The Government, as co-guarantor of the St. Andrew's Agreement, will continue to promote the use of the Irish language, including north of the Border.

In reference to Israel and Palestine, I will be happy to have the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade come to the House for a debate on the matter raised.

Senator Catherine Noone raised the issue of cyber safety. This is safer Internet usage week. All of us involved with children or who have children of our own or who are in a position to influence should raise the issue of cyber awareness and safety in the context of Internet usage. There is a very good advertisement promoting cyber security which poses the question: "Would you let your child walk around Dublin, meeting several thousand people...?" That is potentially what can happen on the Internet. It is important, therefore, that we raise the point.

Senator Denis Landy referred to the greyhound industry. I will be happy to have the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Michael Creed, come to the House to discuss the issue. I am not aware of the details of appointments or reappointments. The Senator may be aware that the matter was discussed by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I will be happy to arrange such a debate in the House.

Senator Keith Swanick referred to President Trump's policy on the pharmaceutical and medtech industries. The points made by the Senator are ones of which we should be much be more cognisant, given the changes in policy flagged by President Trump. US investment in Ireland last year amounted to €343 billion, an increase of 28% on the figure for 2014. Ireland constitutes 1% of the European economy but attracted 20% of all US foreign direct investment in Europe in 2015. More than 140,000 people are directly employed in over 700 US firms in Ireland, accounting for over 74% of IDA-supported employment. It would be worrying if the changes flagged were to come about. I will be happy to have the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor, come to the House to debate the issue.

Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee referred to Irish being the official language of Ireland in the European Union. I hope there will be no change in that regard. I certainly would not support any such change. I will be happy to have the relevant Minister come to the House to discuss the issue. The Senator might also consider raising it by way of a Commencement matter. The point she raises is worthy of support and I am happy to support her in that regard.

Senator Aidan Davitt referred to the national development plan and the proposals of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, in the context of Ireland 2040. I will be happy to arrange a debate on the issue of decentralisation and how the programme collapsed under a previous Government led by Fianna Fáil. The issue raised by the Senator with reference to Mullingar is one-----