Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 12 Senators who made contributions to the Order of Business. In acknowledging Senator Ardagh's remarks, the attack on any member of the legal profession, in particular a woman, is to be deplored and condemned. It is a matter of extreme importance that, no matter who we are, we all uphold our legal system. It is disappointing and upsetting to hear of the attack. It is a matter not just for the Minister for Justice and Equality, but also the OPW which is in charge of public buildings such as courthouses or the area concerned in this case. I would be happy to have the Minister for Justice and Equality come to the House to address this issue.

Senator Ardagh raised the important issue of health insurance which our country and society needs to have addressed. The payment model which involves older people paying the same amount for health insurance as younger people has long been part of our health strategy. The Government is committed to reducing the cost of health care through the provision of universal health care for those over 70 as well as the younger cohort. People are now living longer and Ireland has an ageing population. It is important to acknowledge that there is an onus on health care providers in terms of private health insurance companies because all Members will have heard anecdotal evidence of claims going up and of the rising cost of premiums, as the Senator said. It is a matter of record that in 2016 the HSE earned over €850 million from private patients being treated in public hospital beds. Members who want to see a more equal health care landscape will recognise that more change is needed. Another issue in that regard is that the Minister for Health has made a commitment to provide legislation for the State's health watchdog to allow for investigations about incidents in private health care. That Bill will come to Cabinet in the autumn. It is also important that we work to improve patient safety in our hospitals and to recognise that health insurance companies have an obligation and duty to inform their customers of changes or whether people are on the most suitable insurance plan. Senator Ardagh is aware that there is a website on which one can compare health insurance plans and premiums. However, health insurance companies must work with all of us in that regard to ensure that customers are getting a fair deal.

In his first contribution, Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the judicial council. The heads of the Judicial Council Bill were published on 1 June by the former Minister for Justice and Equality, the Tánaiste, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. That Bill, along with the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, will hopefully be taken in the House in the coming weeks. Both are major reforms of our judicial system and Judiciary which all Members agree are needed. Our Judiciary is independent, which must be maintained. We have been well served by the Judiciary since the foundation of the State and that must always be acknowledged. The Bill is on the Order Paper and will come to the House in the coming weeks.

Senator Boyhan also raised the issue of Irish beef and agriculture. I congratulate the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, and the delegation from Bord Bia who are currently in the United States of America. The Minister was in Washington DC and is currently in Chicago. It has been a very successful trade mission. Senator Boyhan rightly raises the issue of Origin Green which has now been in existence for five years. The United States market is now an important one for Ireland. Thankfully, that market has been reopened. I commend the Minister in that regard.

Senator Gavan raised the issue of the Union of Students of Ireland, USI, briefing. Like the Senator, I attended the very worthwhile USI briefing yesterday. He is right to say that it was not the usual pre-budget ask of some NGOs or advocacy groups. The Senator is correct that the issue of counselling and the availability thereof for students needs to have cross-party support to be prioritised. I was going to raise that issue myself. The end of May and the beginning of term are two peak times for students to require counselling. It is disappointing to hear of a waiting time of up to six weeks in one case which involved a student waiting for an appointment with a counsellor. Senator Gavan also referenced a six-week waiting time. Six hours, let alone six weeks, is an eternity in a student's lifetime when they are under pressure. I would be happy to have the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, come to the House on that issue. Like many other Senators, I was impressed by the fact that the briefing outlined different options and that the USI was not shy in putting forward various policy positions which are worth considering. The Cassells report is with the Joint Committee on Education and Skills. It is important that we see movement in regard to our third level institutions because they are very important in attracting potential foreign direct investment to Ireland.

I join with Senators Ó Riordáin and Warfield in wishing all of our citizens happy pride. It is pride week. Senator Ó Riordáin has been very supportive of pride both in his time as Minister of State and in his own right. He is correct to pay tribute to the father of the House, Senator Norris, who was a fearless campaigner when it was not popular.