Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are working to progress that legislation.

Senator Feighan raised the issue of tourism around his area of Roscommon, and he is right to raise that point. It is important that we see a tourism strategy post-Brexit.

Senator Ó Domhnaill raised the issue of Brexit negotiations and the Taoiseach's availability to come to the House. We had former taoisigh before the Special Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, so hopefully the Taoiseach will appear before that committee as well. If we look at the agreement secured by the Taoiseach in terms of the recognition of the unique constitutional status of the North and the issue around the Good Friday Agreement and the entire territory of the island of Ireland, we will see that the Government's strategy around Brexit has worked so far. The outcome is attributable to the work of the Taoiseach, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan, and Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Trade and Justice and Equality, Deputy Dara Murphy, and all of Government, through its diplomatic and political campaigns in recent months.

I would be happy to have the Taoiseach come to the House or to the Brexit committee. The Taoiseach has been a true leader, and has not politicised Brexit. He has worked across the world pursuing an intensive campaign on the importance of Ireland in the European Union and our unique position. That will be recognised at the European People's Party later this week. We all support the peace process and the need to protect the Good Friday Agreement. That is not a political mantra but has been at the heart of Government. I agree with Senator Ó Domhnaill that we need to have a flexible and imaginative solution to ensure that we do not have a hard border in our country and that there is a need to protect the special status of not just the North but of all of Ireland. I look forward to the debate with Monsieur Barnier tomorrow, and I thank the House in advance of the agreement of the resolution later.

Senator Paul Daly is correct in that we should always keep the victims of crime at the forefront of what we do. Senator McFadden raised the issue of the 110th Infantry Battalion heading off to the Lebanon. On behalf of this House I wish them a very safe and peaceful mission. We are lucky and fortunate as a nation that the men and women who serve in our Defence Forces go overseas and act in a way that other countries are extremely complimentary of. The Army has a very strong affinity to Lebanon, and I again commend the troops and wish them well on their mission. I thank Senator McFadden, who has been a strong advocate of the Defence Forces. Senators MacLochlainn and Craughwell have raised the issue of the Jadotville group in the Congo. We will bring resolution to the matter, which has been supported by all of us in this House, in the coming weeks.

Senator Davitt raised the issue of vacant houses and voids. The Senator is correct in that creativity and imagination should be used to fix the situation around voids and vacant houses, and every consideration should be given to the matters he raises on the issues of taxation and capital gains tax. That should be looked at.

Senator Coughlan raised the matters of the gorse fires again today. We had very good contributions yesterday by many Senators in the Order of Business. I repeat my line from yesterday that those who break the law on burning gorse should be pursued and prosecuted, and I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House to discuss that.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the issue of our coastal communities, which are very important to our country. The issue of a report on sustaining rural communities and the issue of the maritime area and foreshore licences were brought up. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House to discuss that matter.

Senator Colm Burke also raised the issue of respite care, and the point made is one that we have to have a special debate on. I am endeavouring to have the Minister come to the House to discuss that. He also raised the matter of the primary school and post-primary school sector and planning for the future needs of children. He cited the issue yesterday, and it is a matter that needs to be addressed through a Government-wide approach. I look forward to having that debate.

I will take the two amendments to the Order of Business from Senators Reilly and Swanick.