Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 22 Senators who raised issues today. I will do my best to respond to all of them. Senator Swanick spoke about today's launch of the cancer strategy and I welcome his positive comments in that regard. I also agree with him on tobacco legislation. We have to be prepared to stand up to the tobacco lobby at European and Irish levels. While it might not be entirely realistic to have a tobacco-free Ireland by 2025, we should strive for it. The Senator's point about the core services is well made. I commend him on arranging the presentation in the AV room today and on his work in the area. I encourage colleagues to attend. I am agreeable to taking No. 11, the Life Saving Equipment Bill 2017. I commend and encourage the Senator's work in that area.

I thank Senator Lawless for his comments on the diaspora and his continued work in the area, on which he has to be strongly commended. He acknowledged the special envoy who has been put in place as well as the new Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora. This will give it new impetus. I also acknowledge the work of the previous Minister of State in the area.

The Senator's comments on the economic ties are well made. Considering our size it is very significant that Ireland is the 13th largest supplier to the United States. We punch well above our weight when it comes to our reputation abroad. Our citizens tend to end up in very high positions throughout the world and especially in the United States. We need to work on it continually.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh suggested that the new Taoiseach does not seem to have this issue at the top of his agenda. However, already in so far as he can at this stage in his career as Taoiseach, he has appointed a special envoy and reinstated a Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora. It remains to be seen. It would be good to have a debate with the new Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora at a time that is convenient for the Senator early in the new term.

Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue in the North. I understand her frustration and agree with much of what she said. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, has been in the North for a number of weeks - I have hardly seen him in the House. In fairness, he has played his part. It is a very difficult situation. As Senator Ó Domhnaill said, it does not do the Brexit situation any favours not to have a clear leadership in the North. I share Sinn Féin's frustration on the issue. That is as much as I am willing to say on it on the Order of Business. The Senator suggested having a discussion on the rights of people living on this island. It would be a very interesting debate to have in due course, perhaps in the new term.

I commend Senator Black on showing the film, which was very well made. I only got to see about 15 or 20 minutes of it. Yesterday I asked if it could be circulated to Members. I encourage colleagues to watch it. It is a very difficult conflict and my heart goes out to all families that have been affected by the issue. It would be welcome to have a debate in the House on the conflict in the Middle East. We could possibly arrange something in that regard in the new term.

Senator Bacik raised three issues. I obviously support anything we can do to encourage more women to come into politics. Women for Election had a very interesting campaign in recent days and I commend those involved. It raised a lot of money. I do not know how that will be given to individual candidates or what will be done with the money. I wish the organisation well in its work in trying to encourage women. Whatever about getting women into Cabinet, if we do not have enough women in politics generally, there will be no women to put into Cabinet. Appointments are made for the most part, I would hope, on the basis of talent. That is not to say that particular women do not deserve promotion. I would certainly encourage more women into politics generally and I wish Women for Election well in that regard.

The Senator also asked for a debate on immigration, which would be timely considering the migrants settling in the country. That should be, as the Senator requested, early in the new term. Most of the issues raised this morning will be addressed in the new term, bar one or two regarding fisheries. Cycling safety is very topical. The Luas works have affected cyclists around Dublin city. It is unacceptable that cyclists are dying while just going about their business. The Government has done considerable work in this area and Dublin City Council has many positive suggestions when it comes to safety for cyclists. That work needs to be continued.

Senator Byrne also raised the national cancer strategy and the expansion of services. I agree with her comments on BreastCheck starting for people at the age of 50. It would be ideal if the age at which one could avail of that service could be reduced. It seems to be a no-brainer if and when the funds allow, that a budget be made available. A debate in the House on health generally with a focus on cancer services would be welcome. I acknowledge what the Senator said about the VAT rate being reduced by 3%. In the context of Brexit retailers are seeking such a reduction. It is certainly something I could support, but with the caveat that if it is possible we would want that not to be at the expense of something else that would negatively impact retailers.

Senator Horkan raised the very important issue of motor insurance investigations. I believe the Commission has indicated that certain companies may have engaged in anti-competitive practices. As an investigation is ongoing, I will not comment further on that. The Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, who has been given responsibility for this issue, should definitely come to the House to tell us more about that in due course when he is free to talk about it.

Senator Devine spoke about the INMO figures on overcrowding. It is very distressing for patients, their families and staff. The numbers of people on trolleys had decreased until May and have increased since May based on emergency department attendances, admissions and elective activity having increased. However, that does not mean it is acceptable. The Senator made the very positive suggestion to ask the Minister to outline the measures he has put or is putting in place to deal with this. I would be pleased to arrange such a debate in the House. I will speak to the Leader about that.Senator Lombard raised the issue of the fire in Cork, which is terrible. He has asked for the Minister of State, Deputy John Paul Phelan, to come before the House to discuss this. In the context of what happened in London recently, it would be very useful to have a debate along these lines in the House. Senator Colm Burke also raised this issue and the idea that it would be a very useful exercise were the Minister, Deputy Murphy, to commission an investigation among his State agencies to discover how many other buildings lie vacant and in a vulnerable state like the building that caught fire in Cork.

Senator Humphreys raised the issue of a directly-elected Mayor for Dublin, which is a suggestion I support. There would be no point in having a directly-elected Mayor unless he or she had powers and responsibilities in respect of how the city functions. I think the Minister would be welcome to the House to discuss this issue in the near future - obviously, probably in September or October.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of devolved functions, local boundaries and the payment to councillors, which I understand concerns vouched expenses. Perhaps there is some explanation for this, although I am not entirely clear. However, I will seek clarification and try to facilitate the debate the Senator requested.

Senators Mulherin, Gavan and Mac Lochlainn raised the UK's withdrawal from the fisheries agreement. This is very unwelcome. It forms part of the UK's approach to the broader exit negotiations and does not bode well for those negotiations, as far as I am concerned. It is important to say the matter will have no immediate effect, which gives us a bit of time to deal with, as Senator Mac Lochlainn said, the fact that families are reliant on the income they obtain from their work in this area. Last Thursday, the Minister, Deputy Creed, had a session hosted with the Irish industry at SeaFest, which is part of the ongoing dialogue on this issue. To answer Senator Mac Lochlainn's question directly, Deputy Creed has spoken, or is to speak in the coming days, with the British Secretary of State, Michael Gove, with a view to meeting on this very important issue. However, the issue warrants a debate before we finish for the summer, so I will speak to the Leader about trying to facilitate this in the next two weeks.

Senator Davitt raised the issue of VAT. As he said, with Brexit at the door, it would be good to be able to help retailers by reducing VAT but, obviously, only if it is possible in the budget. We will have pre-budget discussions in the House and it would make the most sense to discuss the matter in that scenario so I will suggest that as well.

Senator Gavan raised the issue of Palestine, with which I have dealt, and the fishing industry. The Minister, Deputy Creed, is acutely aware of the latter, his work is ongoing and it is hoped he will have some success in easing the minds of the individuals involved in the industry.

Senator Norris congratulated Senator Buttimer, as everyone did yesterday on the Order of Business. We are delighted for him and wish him well during this exciting time for him on a personal level.

Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of housing. The new Minister has been charged with carrying out a review of the Rebuilding Ireland action plan within three months, so it would be timely to have a debate on this in the new term. We will have a fairly long list of debates lined up for the new term by the time I am finished responding to the Order of Business, but housing is certainly an issue we need to have constantly reviewed in the House. In fairness, the Minister has been making great efforts in the short time he has been in the position. He is making great strides, as far as I can see.

I have dealt with the fisheries issue Senator Mac Lochlainn raised. Lough Foyle has been an issue since 1922 and has not gone away. We are still asserting our rights in respect of the matter but I understand the Senator's frustration, especially given the lough's proximity to him. Perhaps this could be discussed with the Minister when he comes before the House. It is a very important issue for those living locally and on the Inishowen Peninsula.

I have alluded already to Senator Ó Domhnaill's comments regarding Northern Ireland, and the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister should definitely meet if this impasse continues. I note the Senator's comments regarding Derry city. Perhaps he could raise this with the Minister in due course when he comes before the House. I will not go into the matter.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh made very positive comments about Canada-Ireland relations, and I agree with him. These links need to be encouraged. The idea of Prime Minister Trudeau and our Taoiseach running in the Phoenix Park and showing their socks has a bit of entertainment value but the fact that they seem to get on very well on a personal level also makes it much more interesting to people. I do not think there is anything wrong with this. It makes their meeting more memorable. More than anything, to have done something like this makes them very good role models for our young people. Senator Norris can laugh all he likes-----