Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 19 Senators who contributed on the Order of Business. Senator Ardagh began with the issue of cycling on our streets and, in particular, in our capital city. I join her in extending our condolences to the families of the people who have been killed and injured on our roads. I know that the Government has prepared a Bill dealing with minimum passing distances which will come before the House soon. The Government is committed to investing in cycling as a sustainable alternative to motorised transport. The Senator is correct that there is a need to spend more on cycling infrastructure to ensure that we have proper networks, similar to those in many other European capitals. I would be happy to invite the Minister to come to the House to discuss the matter further.

I share the concerns of Senators Ardagh and Noone about social media and Snapchat in particular. It is an issue about which we must have a conversation. Social media can have very harmful effects in terms of putting pressure on young people. I am happy to have a debate on the issue in this House.

I must apologise to Senator Boyhan, who I inadvertently omitted yesterday in the context of a response on the Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017, sponsored by Senator Lawless. The situation regarding this important legislation is that the Department is working on the Bill. My office has been in contact with the Department to ensure that the Bill comes back to this House before the summer recess. I cannot give the Senator a definitive date as to when it will come back but it is being worked on as we speak. I am anxious to honour the commitment I gave to Senator Lawless regarding the Bill. It is important that we bring this Bill to a conclusion and that we have it either passed or rejected by the House.

In fairness to Senator Lawless and to former Senator Imelda Henry, who did a lot of work on the Bill too, this is very important legislation. It deals not just with the sale of alcohol on Good Friday but is also linked to the wider sale of alcohol Bill. It is important that we would have that debate concluded before the summer recess. I assure Senator Boyhan that we are working on it. We are not trying to thwart the passage of the Bill but are putting pressure on the Department to bring it to a conclusion.

Senator Boyhan also made reference to the issue of the Irish seafood sector and the very important festival that is taking place. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, is very committed to that sector. I would be happy to arrange a debate on seafood exports, the seafood sector and the wider maritime area with the Minister as soon as possible.

Senators Boyhan, Conway-Walsh, Ó Clochartaigh, Mac Lochlainn and Norris all raised the issue of the talks in the North today and the importance of Acht na Gaeilge. Those of us who are republicans in this House recognise the importance of an Irish language Act. While I cannot speak for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, it is important that we would have an Irish language Act in the North of our country. It should be possible for citizens of Northern Ireland to be educated through Irish, to be able to speak Irish and to be supported in their use of the Irish language, while also respecting other traditions and cultures.It is important that we do promote the Irish language. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, is in Belfast today. I spoke to him last night. The deadline is looming. I appeal to all sides and, in particular, to the DUP as the largest Unionist party to engage in a meaningful way and to reach out so that we can have devolved Government and a decision-making process in the North. The Minister is committed to resolution of this matter. Members will be aware that the Taoiseach spoke to Prime Minister May yesterday. It is in all of our interests to have power-sharing. The Irish Government will not be found wanting and I know from my engagement with the Minster, Deputy Coveney, that he is committed and wants to see the matter resolved satisfactorily and in a manner that will be of benefit to the people of the North. It is important this matter is resolved regardless of how long that takes. All sides must come together to ensure that we have power-sharing rather than direct rule.

Senators Conway-Walsh, Murnane O'Connor, Gallagher and Ó Clochartaigh raised the issue of waste charges. I took the liberty of pre-empting that this issue would be raised on the Order of Business. I can confirm that the Minister, Deputy Naughten, will come to the House next Wednesday following the Order of Business to discuss this matter. It is important we have a full debate on the matter and that we understand the complexities of the issue.

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins raised the issue of the Joint Committee on Social Protection report. As a House, we should look at how we can debate committee reports. Having previously been a chairman of a committee I know that committees are an industrious, productive and constructive part of our work as Members of the Oireachtas. Sometimes reports are published, they get one or two headlines in a newspaper, or none, and they disappear into the ether and are forgotten about. I would like if we could set aside time in our schedule to debate Oireachtas committee reports. A former Ceann Comhairle, Seán Barrett, was very supportive of Oireachtas committee reports being debated in both Houses. I would be happy to facilitate Senator Higgins's request. I am equally happy to ask a Minister come to the House to discuss the sustainable development goals. Senator Higgins is correct that it is important that we live up to our expectations and that we do not only sign documents and aspire to get to that point buy go beyond it.

Senator Ó Ríordáin asked about the status of the Schools Admission Bill. I do not propose to engage in a row with the Senator on the matter. The Bill will be before the Dáil next week. I am informed that the Minister will propose a number of Committee Stage amendments following which the Bill will come back to the Seanad. Also, I congratulate Senator Ó Ríordáin on his selection as a Dáil candidate for the next general election.

Senator Maria Byrne spoke about the announcement by the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, of children under 12 being allowed free access to cultural and heritage sites. Last week, I had the pleasure of having two visitors in Ireland from the United States. We visited a number of OPW sites. The OPW heritage card, which costs approximately €40, covers adult admission to many wonderful sites. Everyone should have one. The visit to the Rock of Cashel was tremendous. The work being done by the OPW in terms of upgrading and preserving key parts of the site in Cashel deserves to be commended. I commend all in the OPW for the work they are doing.

Senators Gallagher and Paul Daly raised the important issue of farm safety. Senator Daly made the very good point that while the budget has been cut the current allocation in respect of farm safety is significant. As stated by the Senators, farming is the highest risk category in terms of accidents and deaths. Any death is regrettable and any accident is hugely problematic. We sympathise with the people who have died and their families. We must ensure we are getting value for money. If the case is made for an increase in the budget it will be considered. It is important that the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, has the power to carry out inspections. I have experience in this area, having had a family member involved in an accident on farm. This year, the HSA will carry out inspections around animal handling, machinery and work carried out at height. The farming organisations and farmers need to work together to ensure the risks are reduced. The Senators are right that a lot of work remains to be done. I will endeavour to have the Minister come to the House to discuss the matter.

The Seanad Public Consultation Committee, and Senator Conway as its rapporteur, produced a report on farm safety that needs to be built on. As I said earlier, it is important that we learn from reports and recommendations. While I do not wish to be critical of anyone officials can put all sorts of barriers in the way of initiatives. There is a need for leadership in regard to some of the issues that have been raised by Senators Daly and Gallagher today. I will be happy to schedule a debate in the House on those issues.

Senators Gallagher and Feighan congratulated the volunteers of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael on their handling and hosting of Féile na Gael in Cavan, Monaghan and Fermanagh. As a former Cork county youth officer I know that Féile na Gael is the weekend all young boys and girls aspire to participate in. I thank the host families and the men and women of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael for their tremendous work last week. It was clear from some of the photographs I saw over the weekend and on Monday morning that there was huge celebrations across the country in many clubs. I thank everybody who was involved.

Senator Marie-Louse O'Donnell referred to the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017. As the Senator will be aware, the schedule in terms of debate on the Bill by the Seanad is not available yet as the Bill has only commenced proceedings in the Lower House. This matter was also raised yesterday on the Order of Business, when I said that I do not envisage the guillotine being imposed but I cannot confirm that it will not be imposed. I said yesterday in response to Senator McDowell that the Seanad has a constitutional obligation to scrutinise legislation, to amend it if necessary or to allow it remain as drafted. I do not propose to rush passage of the Bill through this House. The matter will be discussed by the Leaders and Groups meeting, as has always been the case in regard to legislation since I became Leader. I also said yesterday that we cannot allow a situation whereby one, two or three people grandstand and filibuster such that the Bill will end up in the ether. Equally, I will not fast-track the Bill through this House. As I said, that discussion will be had at the Leaders and Groups meetings. As members who attend that meeting will know, I am reasonably flexible and I work with people. It is a two-way street: I give and there is take. I will come back to the Senator when I know the Government's intent of amendments, if any. I cannot give a commitment today on the matter but I am prepared to work with the House to ensure we have a real, meaningful debate on Second, Committee and Report Stages.

In regard to the Western Development Commission and the resignation of the chairperson, I will be happy to ask the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, come to the House for a debate on that issue. Senator Feighan raised the issue of the European Medicines Agency. Former Minister of State, Deputy Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy, along with the Minister, Deputy Harris, were very involved in trying to bring the agency to Ireland. This matter was raised previously by Senator Colm Burke, who want it relocated to Cork, Senator Richmond who wanted it relocated to Dublin and Senator Feighan who wanted it relocated to the west. What is important is that it is located in Ireland.