Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am responding to the points made on the Order of Business. If Senator Aidan Davitt ever has the good fortune to be in this position someday, he can reply to the Order of Business. I want to put things in context. According to the Central Statistics Office which is independent of the Government, 70% of the new jobs created are outside Dublin. The region with the fastest growing number of new jobs during 2016 was the mid-west in which the employment rate was up by 7.4%; in the the west it was up by 5.5% and in the south east by 4.6%. I think Senators will agree that is good news which we should all rejoice and celebrate.

Senators Victor Boyhan and Rose Conway-Walsh correctly raised the issue of GLAS payments. 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. As the House knows, the scheme is paying a key role in enhancing Ireland's ability to promote sustainable agricultural production. Some 38,000 farmers were included in the first tranche of those who were paid. However, the Minister and I accept that there is an issue with the number of applications being processed. He will come to the House to address the matter. It is important to recognise that this is a very important scheme for rural Ireland. The issue of why payments have not yet been processed has to be addressed.

Senator Rose Conway-Walsh referred to the Pat Finucane case. The announcement in the courts in the North today was disappointing. Geraldine and the family deserve our support and acknowledgement, but it is a matter beyond the jurisdiction of this Chamber. Senator Conway-Walsh asked that the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Heather Humphreys, come to the House to discuss a certain matter. I will be happy to have the issue addressed.

Senator Gallagher raised energy prices. I will happy to have the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, come to the House to discuss the issue. Senator Craughwell referred to the banks. I share his view that €110,000 is a large amount. I will be happy to accept Senator Gavan's motion because it is important that the House collectively sends a signal on the rights of workers. Senator Nash also referred to this matter. We must protect workers' rights irrespective of who or where they are. As to the dispute at Tesco, it is important that both sides sit down and discuss the issues through the mechanisms available. Rather than having a motion from one party, it would be preferable to agree to an all-party motion on the issue and I will accept Senator Gavan's motion in that spirit.

Senator Leyden referred to wind farms in connection with Castlecoote. He is correct that people in rural areas need to be able to live sustainably. The Senator should submit a Commencement matter to have the issue discussed with the relevant Minister.

Senators Butler and Davitt raised the issue of rates. Senator Butler has been a champion of communities and businesses on the issue of rates. We must give small businesses every opportunity to develop and grow. I hope the Department and Revenue Commissioners can work with local authorities, chambers of commerce and the Small Firms Association to ensure the viability of small companies, particularly in rural areas and smaller towns.

I did not catch all of Senator Devine's contribution on the report card published by the Children's Rights Alliance today. Perhaps she will send me an e-mail on the issue.