Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is new politics. We see a new alliance between the Labour Party and the Green Party over plastic cups. Great things are happening.

Senator Maria Byrne made reference to Limerick Institute of Technology and commented on the planning.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh made reference to housing as well. It is my intention that the the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Murphy, will come to the House in the autumn. I spoke to him yesterday. He is committed to coming in to us. A fire happened in a house yesterday. We have had an awful tragedy again in this country. It is important given the issue of Grenfell Tower that buildings standards are not left to fall away. I am glad the Minister will be able to come to the House in the autumn for that debate. Senator Black also made reference to housing.

Senator Lombard spoke about the review of the EU nitrates directive. This is an important review taking place at the moment. This afternoon the IFA is having a briefing for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas. It is important that the nitrates directive review can help to get the Government, through the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, to place our agriculture community on a sustainable growth path. It is important to look at the way in which we need to arrest the decline in our soil fertility. The agri community has a major export business worth €11 billion to our country in net value, not to mention the amount of jobs being created. Senator Lombard rightly made reference to derogations around the issue of the dairy and livestock farming communities. It is important that the Minister, Deputy Creed, would come to the House to have a discussion as part of the review. I would be happy to invite him for that as well.

I am not familiar with the issue Senator Ó Ríordáin raised relating to the court ruling on legislation and the anomaly in the road traffic legislation. However, when I go back to my office either Orla in my office or I will check with the Attorney General's office whether there is an anomaly that needs to be rectified as a matter of importance.

Senator Swanick raised the issue of home care packages. I was amused at Senator Swanick. He mentioned 2010. As Senator Wilson and everyone will know well, it was the Government he was part of that cut all the aging supports for people. This Government is beginning to re-invest in our elderly, in elder care and in home care packages. I accept there are issues around the provision and that more needs to be done. To be fair to Senator Swanick, he has been very much involved in his local community.