Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Exactly.

Senator Norris congratulated Jeremy Corbyn. It is important that we congratulate all who stood for election but where Senator Norris is coming from concerns the importance of being able to campaign. What Jeremy Corbyn did quite successfully was take his message to the people. It proves that if someone shies away from debate or engagement, people look upon it as a sign of reluctance or of their being taken for granted. The political campaign across the water is one we can all learn from again. I am not quite sure whether we will have an early election but I can tell the House one thing. The leader of Fine Gael and incoming Taoiseach is a far better candidate than Jeremy Corbyn or Theresa May and I would be very happy to stand with him and run under his banner any time.

Senator Butler raised the issue of immigration and the threat of terrorism in our country. I do not want to become engaged in a disagreement with Members of the House but our language around immigration and those who come to our country is important. It is important that if people are in breach of our immigration law, they should be deported. We do not want any truck with terrorism or violence in our country but it is also important that we are seen as a harbour and place of welcome for people who need to come here for a place of refuge.

I fully agree with Senator Horkan regarding the very important issue he raised, namely, the sale of lands, particularly school playing fields, to pay debts owed to the State. We need to be very vigilant about this issue and I commend the Senator for raising that matter today in the House because it is one that we must not allow to continue at one level because these lands can be used to help and benefit young people and communities. To sell them off for whatever reason is understandable on one level but, equally, we need to keep an eye on the value to the community and the good they bring to people.

Senator Byrne raised the issue of child seats. The figure of 21,000 tests with the majority of seats being faulty is staggering in an era when more and more people are on the roads and where people are being penalised and receiving penalty points for a variety of reasons. We all welcome that and have a very strict application of our drink driving rules, which we welcome. It is important that people do not err and take chances regarding child seats. We will get the relevant Minister to come to the House to discuss this issue.

Senator Mulherin raised the very important issue of pyrite blocks and commended the former Minister of State, Senator Coffey, for his work in that regard. The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government will come to the House to discuss that issue.

I think I have covered the majority of contributions other than the congratulations to the former Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance and the Attorney General. I propose the adjournment of the House this evening at the conclusion of business until next Tuesday given that the new Taoiseach will be elected at noon tomorrow while there are issues regarding the availability of Ministers on Thursday and a question mark around junior Ministers. I apologise to Members. I made an offer to Sinn Féin to have-----