Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am responding to the question regarding the Special Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. I am explaining to Senator Higgins why I am allowing for debate on the matter. It is important that we have this debate in the House.

Senator McFadden raised the important issue of mental health and the need for implementation of A Vision for Change, which is the framework and blueprint for building positive mental health across all communities, in particular youth mental health and specialist services for people with mental illness. I wish the new Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, every success in his new role. Senator Devine raised the issue of Linn Dara today as well. I agree with the points made by Senators Devine and McFadden. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, to come to the House to discuss the specific procedures around admittance of people to hospital outside of working hours, as raised by Senator McFadden, and the matters raised by Senator Devine, which matters she has raised previously. We are all agreed that mental health services have been the Cinderella of the health services for far too long. There is need for a real debate on how we can implement A Vision for Change. Money has been ring-fenced for this area. There is increased funding in the mental health budget and it is important that this is felt on the ground.

Senator Gallagher raised the important issue of bowel cancer screening. There is a critical advertisement being run on radio in this regard, which I heard this morning in my car on the drive to Dublin. We must encourage people, particularly men, to engage with this service. I am happy to invite the Minister of State to the House for that debate. The Senator's point that bowel cancer screening should be extended to all groups is an important one.

Senator Boyhan spoke about Rebuilding Ireland, which is the bedrock of Government policy on housing. I wish the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, and the Ministers of State, Deputy Damien English and Deputy John Paul Phelan, well in their new roles. I will be happy to ask the Minister to come to the House for a debate on Rebuilding Ireland. Each Minister will try to add his own stamp to the Department.

Senator Butler raised the issue of Irish beef. I congratulate the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, on his mission with Bord Bia to Washington DC yesterday and today where he had important engagements in the White House and with the US Department of Agriculture and Food. We welcome the opening up of the US beef market to Irish beef. Senator Butler raised the important point of beef prices being cut by the factories. The European Commission commodity price dashboard shows Irish beef prices have risen by 4.1%. There is no reason factories should be cutting the price at this time. I will be happy to have the Minister, Deputy Creed, come to the House on his return from the US.

Senators Murnane O'Connor, Ó Céidigh and Feighan spoke of the tragic death of Mr. Thomas Power in Waterford. I extend my sympathies to his family. To be fair, the issue raised by Senator Murnane O'Connor in regard to the cardiac unit has been well promulgated by Senator Coffey when he spoke in this House on the Order of Business and in the past by other Members from the south east. There has been a huge debate on the issue. The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, has engaged with various stakeholders in that regard. I am happy to ask the Minister to come to the House again on that matter. Again, I sympathise with the Power family on their tragic loss.

Senators Reilly and Devine raised the issue of child adolescent mental health services and the lengthy waiting lists for assessments for a range of conditions.Senator O'Reilly correctly raised the tremendous Enable Ireland facility in Cavan. Senator Reilly is correct that we need a debate. These children cannot be left in limbo. All of us understand the frustration of families with children who have a disability, families of children with autism, ASD or special educational needs, and that they require urgent intervention. As we emerge from recession, as a Government and as a country we need to ensure that the benefit of the recovering economy is felt by people who most need it; in this case as articulated by Senators O'Reilly and Devine.

Senator Ó Céidigh raised the matter of Roinn na Gaeltachta and daoine na Gaeltachta. Déanaim mo chomhghairdeachas leis an Aire Stáit, Teachta Seosamh McHugh, ar an bpost. What the Taoiseach has done is quite innovative regarding the Irish language. He has appointed a Minister for Irish and Irish affairs to sit at Cabinet, which is important. It is not just about the Gaeltacht, it is about cúrsaí Gaeilge. I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Joe McHugh, well. I agree with Senator Ó Céidigh that the plan did not work, notwithstanding the tremendous work done by former Minister of State, Deputy Seán Kyne - and I pay tribute to him for his work in the role of Minister of State with responsibility for Gaeltacht affairs and natural resources. We now need to see a focus on people and on the importance of jobs, employment and the creation of small indigenous industries in Gaeltacht areas. Attracting industry to locate there is important. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House in respect of the matter raised by Senator Ó Céidigh.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of children who are born to parents who suffer from substance abuse. It is a very important issue and I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House. The Senator also asked about the Special Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. There will be a meeting tomorrow about the committee. Senator Mullen is correct in that all Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas must respect the work of the committee system within the Oireachtas and that we do not pre-empt or prejudge any committee's work, not least the committee on the eighth amendment of the Constitution. I wish all members of the committee, myself included, every success in their work. Whatever the outcome that is presented to the Government, and whatever Government decides, it is important.

The issue of pyrite was raised by Senator Mulherin. The Senator has been strong in the House in her articulation around the need for action for the people of Mayo and Donegal who are affected. We very much welcome the report. The Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, is thankfully retaining that position from the point of view of the issue in the report and I am happy that he has committed to coming before the House on the matter.

Senator Davitt raised the issue of a Minister for Brexit. I wish to pay tribute to Deputy Dara Murphy for his work as Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs. He was a very powerful ambassador for our country. I wish the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, with special responsibility for Brexit, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, every success in their new posts.

I am not sure which Minister's post he would like to have been given but I believe that our former Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, has served our country in outstanding ways in Europe in positioning us in the Brexit negotiations. The proof is, as we have seen, in the position paper outlined. The Brexit negotiations commenced yesterday. It is going to be two years of endeavour and I hope we will see a positive outcome. I thank Senator Davitt for raising the matter.

Senator Feighan touched on the issue of the air ambulance in Roscommon, which is an important outcome for the people of Roscommon.

The amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Ardagh has been ruled out of order by the Leas-Chathaoirleach, and I am happy to accept that.