Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be happy to see that change happen in the coming months. We should allow the issues to be resolved.

Senators Boyhan, Conway-Walsh, Ruane, Devine, Bacik, Norris and O'Donnell raised social protection issues. Senator Boyhan raised a particular issue regarding the carer's allowance and I will take that back to the Minister. All the Senators raised the maternity benefit issue. I join those who expressed disappointment at the delay in the processing of the applications. A total of 1,300 women are awaiting the payment of this benefit. I have been informed by the Minister that additional staff have been appointed, overtime has been provided and there is an issue with the roll-out of a new system. Senator O'Donnell made a telling contribution regarding how the issue could be resolved by using the old method. The Minister should do that. As Senator Devine rightly said, women who are at their most vulnerable require that payment and the delays are unacceptable. Senator O'Donnell is correct that the Minister should be asked to postpone the implementation of the new system and the training of staff and have the payments made under the old system until the Department gets the structure right.

Senator Ardagh raised the motor insurance issue. The Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, along with the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, commissioned a report into motor insurance which has made 76 recommendations. All of us want a reduction in the cost of premia and there is a need for more change, to which we all look forward.

Senators Bacik and Norris raised the pensions issue in the context of the social welfare and pensions Bill. I very much welcome head 14. Senator Norris referred, in particular, to the exclusion of Dr. David Parris. As the Cathaoirleach rightly said, that can be addressed in the Bill and I hope we can reach an accommodation on that.

Senator Bacik referred to the issue of blasphemy, about which we had a discussion yesterday. All of us recognise that there has been no conviction since 1855 but it might be no harm to have the offence removed completely. I am not against that.

Senators O'Reilly and Feighan raised the important issue of tourism in the Border area. As Senator O'Reilly rightly said, the Cavan area has a tourism product. Those who watched last Monday's edition of "Nationwide" could not but be impressed by the product on offer in Cavan and Monaghan. It is something that the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport should come to the House to discuss. He is very much aware of the impact Brexit could have on the tourism strategy but the strategy needs to be accentuated and highlighted in respect of the Border counties and I would be happy to facilitate a debate on that.

I am happy to accept Senator Swanick's amendment to the Order of Business.

I join Senator Craughwell in pleading with the banks to take their corporate citizenship responsibilities seriously. They have an obligation and duty to work with people rather than holding the sword over them all the time. The Senator's points were well made as were those made by Senator Butler regarding the self-employed. The Minister for Social Protection has made significant changes and is working towards a bigger change for the self-employed. Senator Butler, who is a long-standing champion of the self-employed, made some good points.

Senators Devine and Reilly referred to the tree of hope.It is important, as the Senator said, that people do ponder and reflect as they walk past. This is mental health awareness month, and it is important that an awareness is created, that people are able to talk about mental health and that there is an opportunity to have that discussion. As was mentioned yesterday when discussing the "Cinderella" element of the health budget, there is a stigma associated with mental health that we need to overcome, and that can only be done by having public events where people can speak about the pain of isolation, loss, anxiety and loneliness and other frustrations that have been bottled up for years. Government, despite what some people will say, have put in place a number of measures that will be of benefit to people, but we have a road to travel yet, and I fully subscribe to the view that any initiative that we can take to allow people to speak and highlight mental health is to be welcomed.

I thank Senator Warfield and Senator Norris for joining me this morning to meet the Russian ambassador to highlight the issues in Chechnya and Russia. It is frustrating when one hears the ambassador saying that there are no issues and that all people are treated with respect, but as Senator Norris said we have an issue to deal with.

I would be happy to take Senator O'Reilly's amendment to the Order of Business, and I thank him and Senator Burke for their remarks regarding an autism strategy. We will have that debate next week in the House.

Senator Gavan brought up the issue of the Good Friday Bill. I share with him the desire to reduce the harm alcohol has on our society, and as the former chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Health - our first piece of work was about alcohol - who has scrutinised the public health and alcohol issue, I am working on having that Bill back in the House before the summer recess. I am not hiding or demurring from my responsibilities in any way. I will always be willing to work for public health, as is Senator Gavan. We are not in any way preventing consideration of the measure. From speaking to the Department of Health and the Minister of State at the Department of Health I know she is anxious to progress the Bill on which work is ongoing. It is nearing completion. I as Leader gave a commitment to Senator Lawless on the Bill, and hopefully we will have itl back before the summer recess.