Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 16 Members for their contributions this morning. I neglected to say it yesterday, but on behalf of all Members, I pay tribute to our colleague and friend, Maureen Kilkenny, who has retired from the Oireachtas one stop shop. On occasion, we pay tribute to ushers, staff and Members who retire. Maureen was always available, willing, supportive and helpful to all Members and staff and we wish her a happy and peaceful retirement. We thank her for her years of service, friendship, good humour and the banter when one walked into her office. As Senator Feighan said, she is a Roscommon woman as well, which is all good.

I begin by responding to Senators Ardagh and Conway-Walsh on the Garda Commissioner and the ongoing issues in Templemore. An examination is ongoing and it is important that we get to the bottom of it. All of us who are involved in Irish life are concerned about the revelations we have seen. Each of us wants to see a new regime emerge in An Garda Síochána. We cannot but be disappointed and concerned at the findings of the internal audit committee report. We recognise the need for change within An Garda Síochána. There is a disagreement regarding the role or future role or who should be the Garda Commissioner, but I have said in the past in the House and repeat that the removal of a single person does not necessarily lead to the reform we want. There must be significant cultural change within An Garda Síochána and just removing the Garda Commissioner will not necessarily bring about that change of itself. There is a commission on the future of policing and Senator Conway-Walsh referenced the Charleton report. All of that is being carried out as we speak. What we agree on is that reform is necessary and that change must take place. Co-operation must be forthcoming from all parties in regard to the issues outlined. I sit on a number of policing fora in Cork. As such, I note that it is also important to recognise that huge work is being done by members of An Garda Síochána to which we need to pay tribute and acknowledge.

Equally, Senators Feighan and Leyden raised the issue of the closure of Garda stations. We can have a political back and forth about what was closed under Fianna Fáil, what was closed under our Government and what is happening in the North with Sinn Féin in government, but that will serve no purpose. What we must do is ensure we have a Garda presence in our communities which prevents crime. I hope, certainly, that the civilianisation of An Garda Síochána will be expedited by the new Minister for Justice and Equality with the Policing Authority so that we see more gardaí freed up for the beat, more patrol cars and a higher level of visibility on the ground. By the same token, I hope for the opening of Garda stations where people can go to get forms signed or passports stamped, which is not necessarily the work of gardaí themselves. We need to see a complete modernisation of the way in which the force does its business. Having listened to the Chair of the Policing Authority in Cork last Monday, I am confident we will see a fast-tracking of the civilianisation of An Garda Síochána. I record again that it was the last Government and this one which reopened Templemore and restarted recruitment which was stopped on Fianna Fáil's watch. We are now recruiting more gardaí. I accept that every community wants a Garda station and more gardaí, but we must ensure we have a presence which is about preventing crime and working with local communities.

Senator Ardagh referred to the appointments of Ministers of State yesterday. I remind her that 22% of Members of the Thirty-second Dáil are women while in Fine Gael, 45% of our female colleagues are Ministers or Ministers of State. That is 26% of Cabinet members and 21% of Ministers of State. Of the 11 Fine Gael Deputies who are women, six hold ministerial office. When one adds the two who chair Oireachtas committees, it is a pretty good record. I accept that we would all like to see more and that we need to reduce the barriers to women becoming active participants in elected politics who can be appointed to office as Ministers and Ministers of State. We accept that there is a need for more women but to be fair to this Government and the last, we have made huge reforms to encourage the greater participation of women in politics. It is something we should encourage. Rather than criticise, we should welcome the appointment of six of the 11 Fine Gael Deputies as Ministers or Ministers of State as well as the further two who are chairpersons of high profile Oireachtas committees.

Having regard to the Senator's proposed amendment to the Order of Business, I note that the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, is not available today. I hope to have him in either tomorrow or next Tuesday and will liaise with the Senator if she is happy to do so. I accept fully and agree about the issue of the cath lab for Waterford which Senator Murnane O'Connor raised yesterday. I note the commitment in the programme for Government to carry out an independent clinical review and that was done under the chairmanship of Dr. Niall Herity. He reported back and made his recommendations. This morning, however, I offer again my sympathies to the Power family, which is where our thoughts should be at this time. We can argue the political issue after and it is a point to which we will come back. I am happy to have the Minister come in tomorrow or Tuesday, although it is most likely to be next Tuesday.

Senators Boyhan, Paul Coghlan and Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of the appointment of Deputy John Paul Phelan as Minister of State with responsibility for local government. I congratulate him on his elevation and appointment. He comes with a vast experience of local and national politics, having served in both roles with distinction, including as a Member of this House. It is important to reconvene the Seanad's all-party group on local government to address councillors' pay and conditions and to include the issue of local government reform. I would be happy to have the Minister of State come to the House. The issues raised by the three Senators are important.

Senator Dolan referred to the story of a lady last Friday in Cork which epitomises what is good about our public services and those who work in them. A person in obvious distress was assisted by members of Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann who should be complimented and thanked for the work they have done in this case. It went beyond the call of duty on one level but is also, as Senator Dolan, said only to be expected. I am tempted to say it is what we do in Cork anyway. We are very hospitable and friendly people. On a serious note, people who work in the bus station at Parnell Place and in Kent Station are exemplary and they put customer service at the centre. Senator Dolan is right about where we need to go. I agree 1,000% on that cultural change and the mindset that should operate when dealing with people with disabilities.I would be happy to invite the Minister to come to the House to discuss that matter and the issue relating to the UN convention.

In response to Senator Leyden and as I said to Senator Feighan, the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Moran, is not responsible for the Garda stations. I think that is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan.