Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It was Senator Daly's party in government that introduced many public private partnerships for roads, schools and so forth. There is a need to look at the whole issue around PPPs. The Senator mentioned the 10% and I do not necessarily disagree with the remarks made by him or by Deputy Howlin on this matter. We will have that discussion next week as part of the economic statement.

When it comes to the summer economic statement and our economic strategy, the Government's key aims are to ensure that we have sound management of our economy and our public finances. We must also see to it that public expenditure ensures valuable return for the taxpayer and that we have targeted public investment. This concerns infrastructure but it should be in tandem with the provision of facilities. Senator Colm Burke has always made the point that we have built many schools and new roads but has asked when did we last build a new hospital. That is part of what we need to discuss collectively.

A further point we must address, and I make no apologies for this, is to ensure we have a fair tax system that rewards those who work. We cannot have people escaping paying tax. A fair system means that people who have had to endure a decade of pay cuts and tax increases will be rewarded for the huge sacrifice and contribution they made to the recovery of our country. In so doing, we must also ensure our country is open for business and for targeted investment.

The summer economic statement outlined by the Minister yesterday is ambitious. I completely disagree with Senator Daly on this point. It is ambitious in terms of infrastructure development and the need for broadband. This will be the Government that delivers broadband to our people across rural Ireland. We will have that debate in the context of the new Department later. It is important, however, that we work to make sure rural Ireland is not forgotten but becomes central to our recovery. It is important there is a balance between taxation and investment in the budget. Senator Daly is right that we need targeted investment.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of diversity in public broadcasting. He raised a very good point because there is a certain status quo in our national broadcaster. There are very few female presenters on some of our daytime radio programmes. I commend the former Senator and chairperson of the Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, who had a very good meeting in Galway last week on the future of public broadcasting. Senator Mullen is right to highlight the need for diversity in this area. I pose the question, as many of us do, as to whether we are getting value for our licence fee. The director general of RTE has asked for an increase. I would not support that increase when we see that last weekend, for example, many people were unable to watch our national games on RTE and had to watch them on Sky. The point the Senator made is a good one and I would be happy to ask the Minister to come to the House.

Senators Devine and Mullen posed a question about waste. This is a debate we need to have as a society. We became hung up on waste charges last week when there was a kerfuffle. We did not focus on the substantive issue which is what we do with our waste. Where does it go? Senator Mullen is right to highlight the levels of packaging - for example, styrofoam cups - we produce. There is an important question here, however. It is easy to oppose paying for something. That is the easy option. The hard option is be responsible and have a debate about how we can reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and how we can recycle and incentivise families to do so. This is debate we need to have. It will not happen before the recess but I would be happy to have it in the autumn.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh and the Cathaoirleach both referred to the mackerel quota. As Senator Ó Clochartaigh knows, we had a positive outcome for Irish fisheries in 2016 when we saw an increase in tonnage to 86,000 tonnes, up 10,500 tonnes. This is worth approximately €10 million to us. The Senator and the Cathaoirleach are right to highlight the need to broaden the discussion. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has had a consultative process and is currently assessing the whole issue. Those submissions are available. Given the London Agreement and the decision by the United Kingdom, it is important the Minister comes in to the House. I will endeavour to arrange this for next week, if I can. It may not be possible next week but I will certainly try.

With regard to Senator Ó Clochartaigh's comments on JobPath and the activation measures, I suggest the Senator might find submitting a Commencement matter a quicker way to raise it. We have a lot of legislation to go through next week and the Minister will be at a European Council meeting in Estonia. We will put this on the agenda, however, as this issue concerns ensuring people do not have to endure the round trip the Senator mentioned.

Senator Ó Ríordáin raised the issue of schools selling off lands. It is a matter of concern when we see the loss of vital amenities and recreational land. He cited, in particular, a number of schools in which the State had invested money. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House to address this. I again suggest to Senator Ó Ríordáin that submitting this as a Commencement matter for next week might be a more prudent and expeditious way for him to get information.

I join Senator Ó Ríordáin in congratulating Mr. Vincent Browne and wishing him well on his retirement. Many of us who have had the pleasure or agony of appearing on his programme can associate with the Senator's remarks on detention. Vincent Browne brought insight and intellect to journalism, as well as fairness towards all the Members of the Oireachtas who appeared on his programme. We may not have always agreed with him, and we can disagree with his recent remarks, but we wish him well in his retirement and thank him for his service. Like Senator Ó Ríordáin, I also wish to pay tribute to Ms Ursula Halligan. I was not aware that she was retiring.I thank her for her courtesy to all of us in this House when we met her and when we were interviewed by her. Senator Ó Ríordáin referenced the flower pot incident, which I remember very well. Ms Halligan's contribution to the marriage equality referendum was one of the stand-out moments. Her act of courage and bravery is one we should all applaud and admire. I wish her well in the next phase of her career.

Senator James Reilly raised the deprivation index. We all agree there is a need to have it examined. It is not just about the index but about the model used for DEIS status and how we can now have people allocated in different ways. It is a matter we need to re-examine because, as the Senator rightly mentioned, it is partly about different types of housing, including social housing, and this is based on an outdated model.

Senator Leyden referred to the Brexit committee report. I thank all Members of the House for their contributions yesterday. It was a very important and worthwhile debate. The Senator's suggestion is primarily a matter for the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I certainly have a great desire to see the Brexit committee report issued widely. On the agenda for the meeting of the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privilege this afternoon, there is a request from the clerk of the committee to do something similar to what the Senator suggested in terms of going on tour, if I may use that phrase. It is about us, as a Parliament, playing a key, pivotal role. In my remarks yesterday, I acknowledged the Senator's work in Europe. It is important that we consider positively what the Senator suggested because it is about us, as Members of the Upper House, taking the initiative and working with the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, the Council of Europe, OSCE or other bodies to ensure the voice of Ireland's Parliament is heard in tandem with the work of the Government. I would be very happy to see whether we can do something along the lines suggested because it is important.

Senator Leyden also referred to the Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar. The Senator is correct that he needs to go on the charm offensive like the former Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny. On the Senator's last point, the Government has created a new section to deal with Brexit. It is an all-Government approach. I will be very happy to determine how we can make progress on what the Senator suggested.