Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In regard to the issue raised by Senator Ó Clochartaigh, as stated by the Cathaoirleach, I do not have any jurisdiction over translation services although the Senator is correct that any issue that impairs the work of the House must be resolved. However, that is a matter above my pay grade. The Senator also raised the issue of an Acht na Gaeilge, which I have already addressed.Senators Terry Leyden and Jennifer Murnane O'Connor referred to the constituency boundary commission's recommendations which the Cathaoirleach said would be debated in the House. I congratulate and thank the members of the commission which held ten meetings. There are different views on the outcome of the report. I certainly have mine which have been well documented as I made a submission to the commission. It is disappointing that there is to be no change in Cork but c'est la vie. It is, however, a missed opportunity and it is a matter to which I will come back when the report is debated by the House, if we are still here. We may not be part of the next general election at all. Senator Jennifer Murnane O'Connor may have to go into a part of County Wicklow, but that is another day's work. Senator Terry Leyden said people would be disenfranchised, which will continue to the case in the city of Cork, which is disappointing. Bishopstown has been divided in two. The Senator was correct to highlight the fact that communities have different voices, but there is no unity, which is disappointing.

Senator Catherine Noone referred to the Royal Irish Society public health debate and raised a very interesting point. Social media have become an integral part of the lives of young people, whether it be Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook or whatever the new fad is. This is putting pressure on them. I will be happy to have a debate on social media.

Senators David Norris and Colm Burke referred to the Private Members' Bill to be debated today. It is important that it not be allowed to vanish. I implore all Members to speak to it as it is an important Bill. None of us wants anyone to lose his or her home and be discommoded or evicted. To be fair to the Senators, they have raised very important and interesting points about how we should work together to ensure people will not have to face the ignominy of losing their homes or being evicted. It is important that people work together and that the institutions of the State and the banks work with them. I am very anxious, therefore, to ensure the Bill will not vanish today and implore all Members to support Senator David Norris.

Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn referred to the Irish language Act, an issue I have addressed, as well as the very important report of the expert panel on concrete blocks. I have asked the Minister responsible to come to the House to discuss the issue which was raised by Senator Michelle Mulherin two weeks ago. The request has been submitted. The Senator is correct. It is an issue which has vexed residents in counties Donegal and Mayo, in particular. The Senator's constituency colleague, the Chief Whip, Deputy Joe McHugh, has already spoken to me about the matter in the context of redress. The Senator was correct to raise the matter today. We dealt with the issue of pyrite and we can do the same again in this instance. It is a matter of finding a way around things.

Senator Colm Burke referred to the Bill before the House and the need to hold people to account, such as in the case of the HSE. I agree with him.

Senator Máire Devine made reference to the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy. I gave a comprehensive reply yesterday when the matter was raised on the Order of Business by a colleague, Senator Rose Conway-Walsh. None of us can be complacent on the issue of safety, whether it be in high rise units or multi-unit accommodation. Other than Priory Hall, we do not seem to have a litany of buildings being condemned, but if I am wrong, I will come back and retract my remarks. I would hate people to think we have had no controls or standards in buildings in the past decade. The Minister was speaking on a radio programme about buildings in Ireland not having the same density as those in London. We must ensure we speak with one voice when we say there can be no dilution of standards or shortcuts. We learned from the fire which occurred on St. Valentine's Day in Dublin in 1981. We must now learn from the fire that occurred in London. I agree with the Senator in that regard. The report to be issued on 19 July must be acted on. I do not buy the line that resources are not available to carry out inspections. They are happening. We must ensure the reports from each local authority and the Residential Tenancies Board are acted on, if deficiencies are identified. We cannot err on the side of finance. We must prioritise the lives and safety of all those affected.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan referred to examinations and correctors in the context of the State Examinations Commission. The issue was not highlighted after the junior and leaving certificate examinations; rather, it happened during the recruitment process. Like the Senator, I was an invigilator and corrector and wish all of our colleagues well as they get their sample papers together to hand to superintendents. The Senator is correct. There is a need for integrity in marking and the highest of standards must prevail in the correction of examination papers because the lives of so many students depend on the outcome. I share the Senator's view in that regard. If the State Examinations Commission and the Department of Education and Skills need to carry out a review of remuneration, correctors and the process involved, we should examine that possibility.

I cannot give my good friend Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell a definitive answer, but I will be happy to work with all Members of the House to ensure there will not be a quick passage of the Bill and alacrity in dealing with. That has not been my form. As the Senator knows, we have only had to use the guillotine on one occasion for a particular reason. I am quite happy to allow a debate, provided we do not have grandstanding or filibustering.