Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator is right there.

On GMIT, I join Senator O'Mahony in again asking about this issue. The Government is committed to a multi-campus provision in all institutes of technology. As Senator O'Mahony rightly said, there has been engagement with GMIT in a genuine attempt to make the institute economically sound and put it on a firm financial footing. An independent adviser has been appointed and the Minister, Deputy Bruton, has established a working group with the aim of putting together a sustainable plan for the future development of the Castlebar campus. It is important that we allow that work to be done and brought to a conclusion. The HEA has already made it clear that it is committed to this and the Minister and the Government have a whole-of- government approach to that commitment. The working group's report should be submitted at some point during this quarter. I am happy for the group to be allowed to do its work. We must all ensure that there is a strong GMIT presence.

Senator Dolan raised the issue of Huntingdon's disease. He mentioned that Pope Francis is hosting a gathering of people with Huntingdon's, the first such meeting with a pontiff, which I think is on tomorrow. I commend the people from Ireland who are travelling. I know from my time as Chairman of the Oireachtas committee on health when we held hearings on issues relating to rare diseases, of which Huntingdon's was one, that approximately 750 of our fellow citizens have Huntingdon's disease. It is a rare disease and one for which we need to develop a strategy and an all-Ireland approach. I would be very happy to work with the Senator on that issue. I also join him in wishing former Taoiseach, John Bruton, a happy birthday on Thursday.

I am happy to take on board Senator Ó Riordáin's amendment to the Order of Business. He raised the issue of the inner city and the Mulvey report and I join him in commending the people of the inner city and that community. He is right that it must not be about gangland crime or the reaction to an event, such as a death or shooting, but about an investment in people and in the community. As someone who has spent a lot of time working with communities and developing them, it is important that, as a Government and as a country, we invest in people. I am confident the Mulvey plan, which is a three-year plan of action, will be driven not only by the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, but also by all the stakeholders, including education, community, voluntary and sporting groups. The Senator is right that it is about people making communities, and the Government must deliver and implement that plan. There is a commitment to reopen Fitzgibbon Street Garda station and money has been ring-fenced but I share the Senator's view that there must be staging posts along to the way on the points he raised. I would be happy for the Minister or the Taoiseach to come to the House to discuss this issue.

Senator Burke and Senator Murnane-O'Connor raised the issue of anti-social behaviour and the lack of implementation. I am open to correction, but I think the Senator is incorrect and that there is legislation on this matter.It is important that we allow for city and county councils to take action, if needed, in respect of people who are involved------