Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 25 Senators who made contributions to the Order of Business. I welcome Mr. Tiernan Brady of Australians for Equality to the Public Gallery who is here for the Easter holidays. He is a former member of the Yes Equality campaign and I pay tribute to his work here. I wish him well in his work in Australia and hope to see it pass marriage equality.

I join with Senators Horkan, Dolan, Mulherin, Colm Burke and Byrne in congratulating all concerned in the protracted, although unnecessarily so, negotiations on the provision of Orkambi. I congratulate Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, its chief executive, Philip Watt, the Minister, Deputy Simon Harris, and the Health Service Executive, HSE, for their perseverance in negotiating a deal on the commercial terms of supply to patients who require this much-needed treatment. This is about patients and the lives of people. It is about improving the quality of life. The negotiations showed the importance of persevering and entering into talks. It is important we pay tribute to Vertex Pharmaceuticals and thank it for its willingness to engage in compromise and negotiation.

There is still a significant amount of work to be done, as Senator Colm Burke said, in keeping the cost of drugs and medications at a point at which people and the State can afford. The significance of this deal will be seen in time. Again, I join with everybody in welcoming the conclusion of talks and hope it can bring a positive outcome. It is a pity it took so long, but it shows that the collective bargaining power of the Government through the HSE is important. I thank the Minister, Deputy Harris, for that.

Senators Devine, Mullen, Higgins and Horkan raised the issue of the second interim report of the mother and baby homes commission published yesterday. Senator Devine articulated remarks many of us would share. Rather than divide the House on a sensitive and important issue, I appeal to her to agree to dealing with this after the Easter recess. I am not in a position to bring the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to the House today but I would be happy for her to come to the House after the Easter recess. All Members are committed to having services and supports put in place for the people who were cruelly abused in these homes. I agree with Senator Devine that it is a shameful period in our history. We must take cognisance that this is an interim report and that the final report has not yet been completed. It is also worth noting the commission has made no findings to date in terms of abuse and neglect, to which Senator Higgins also referred. Rather than divide the House, which would be unnecessary, in the spirit of co-operation, the Government is committed - I am of the same view as the Senator - that we need to see action steps, not just, as some people claim, posturing. This is about the human rights of people which were cruelly denied and abused under the care of so many. I would happily bring the Minister to the House after Easter, if the Senator accepts my bona fides. If she does not, that is a matter for herself.

Senator McDowell proposed an amendment to the Order of Business to take all Stages of the Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017 today. Senators Reilly, Ruane and Craughwell also referred to it. Senator Lawless has put much work into this Bill. I am happy to take Second Stage today. However, there are anomalies in the Bill and taking all Stages today would not lead to good legislation. As Leader, I am committed to working with Senator Lawless, irrespective of whether there will be different views expressed later today in the debate, to have Committee Stage in the House on the last week of May. I also want to pay tribute to the former Senator, Imelda Henry, who did a significant amount of work on this Bill in a different format. I know Senator Lawless would not want me to forget her. I am happy to take Second Stage today. Notwithstanding there will be different viewpoints and those who will not want to see alcohol served in public houses on Good Friday, many Members will want to get this Bill right so it can be enacted by this time next year. I am more than happy to take Committee and Report Stages at a later date.

Senator McDowell also raised the issue of public broadcasting. We are at a serious point in regard to the future remit and role of RTE as our public service broadcaster. I fundamentally agree there needs to be a national debate from Cork to Donegal on the role and the future of broadcasting and RTE as well. I would not like to have to explain to people how we can put a tax on a laptop, an iPad or an iPhone because one can get TV coverage with them. I believe it is a wrong move and that debate needs to be had. I would be happy to have a debate in this House on it. Away from the committee doing work on this matter, this is of fundamental importance to our country. We see our print media under sustained pressure but we have the commercial growth of local radio. I know the Minister published remarks on it but I would be happy to debate this in the House after the Easter recess.

Senators Mulherin and Horkan raised the issue of the post office closures. I would be happy for the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to come to the House. To be fair, the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, was explaining he did not have any responsibility in the matter. Senator Mulherin raised some interesting points about the role of the post office in the future, which merits discussion and consideration. To be fair to her, the fact she has put some of those suggestions on the record this morning is good. I will be happy to have a debate on this subject at a later date.

I commend Senator Kelleher for her work on the Adult Safeguarding Bill. The Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, had a family bereavement yesterday and that is why yesterday’s debate on migrant integration strategy was cancelled. It will be held on 16 May.

Senator Ó Ríordáin raised the issue of child poverty. He is correct in that regard. Senator Mullen used the word “posturing” earlier. We have seen much posturing by certain groups over the past several weeks around the issue of water. Notwithstanding the good work Senator Kevin Humphreys did as Minister of State in the Department of Social Protection on child poverty, I hope we will have a debate on this after the Easter recess. All of us will welcome figures from the Central Statistics Office showing a reduction in the number of children in consistent poverty as a consequence of the policies of the previous Government. Notwithstanding this, 11.5% of children are in consistent poverty and I fully accept that this figure is much too high. It is important to recognise that the Government, in budget 2017, increased the weekly rate of payment for working age schemes and the income disregard for one-parent families. It also introduced additional child care and paternity leave provision. The issue the Senator raises is important and I will be pleased to have it debated in the House.

I join Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin in condemning the allegations made in reports from Chechnya concerning the rounding up and incarceration of members of the LGBT community. I have written to the Russian Ambassador Peshkov on the matter. I would also be happy to have the Minister come to the House to discuss it. There can be no rowing back on the fundamental human rights that have been won across the world. In some countries, the LGBT community has not yet achieved any victories. I am conscious that we have visitors from Australia in the Public Gallery who are working to have human rights made available to all Australian citizens. It is important that the House stand up for the rights of all citizens. The reports from Chechnya are deeply worrying and distressing. As advocates for human rights, we must stand in solidarity with our LGBT brothers and sisters in Russia. We cannot allow anyone to be treated in the callous manner described. I will be happy to have the Minister come to the House to discuss the matter, which was also raised by Senator Joe O'Reilly.

Senators Keith Swanick and Rose Conway-Walsh raised the toll charges incurred by volunteers from Carrick-on-Suir. It is extraordinary that they were charged tolls given that they were returning from volunteering in County Mayo on a major rescue mission to recover the bodies of two missing R116 crewmen. We all hope the bodies will be returned to their families and loved ones, for whom this is a traumatic time. From watching television coverage and listening to radio reports, I am aware of the major voluntary effort that took place along the north-west coast at the weekend. It beggars belief that no cop-on or common sense was shown or no recognition given to the fact that the individuals in question were on a humanitarian mission. I join Senators Swanick and Conway-Walsh in appealing to the company that operates the toll bridges to show common sense and latitude in this case. Perhaps the Senators will raise it as a Commencement Matter with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. The House must also take up the issue.

Senators Gerard Craughwell and Diarmuid Wilson raised the issue of entrepreneurship in education and training boards. The local enterprise offices are engaged in work to increase employment. It is important that they work together with the education and training boards. I will be happy to have the Minister come to the House to discuss the issue.

Senator John O'Mahony raised the issue of the N4 and N5 motorway projects. He has consistently advocated their prioritisation as part of the mid-term capital review. I hope the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, will come to the House after Easter because we need to discuss the mid-term capital review. We also need to have the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, before the House for a discussion on the Ireland 2040 plan which deals with regional and economic development and the locations at which we will build and concentrate population masses.

I welcome Senator Rose Conway-Walsh back to the House and wish her well. She referred to the case of Evan Morrissey which was outlined yesterday in the coroner's court. There are protocols in place to deal with medical negligence. I sympathise with the family of Mr. Morrissey and all those who have been the victims of misdiagnosis. To be fair to health professionals, their record in this regard is good. I will be happy to have a debate on the issue.

Senators John Dolan and Gabrielle McFadden raised the case of Áras Attracta and disability issues. The Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Finian McGrath, is committed to delivering a comprehensive package for the disability sector and I will be pleased to have him come to the House to discuss disability issues.

I welcome the decision of the Joint Committee on Future Funding of Water Services and hope the issue of water charges has been addressed for the last time. I pay tribute to Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh for his excellent stewardship of the committee. He demonstrated a willingness to go the extra mile, while being fair, impartial and stern when necessary. It is important to recognise the significance of yesterday's developments.