Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is an operational matter for the HSE rather than the Minister. I will talk to the Senator about it after the Order of Business.

Senator Colm Burke referenced the issue of the medical cannabis Bill and the decision of the committee yesterday. He has highlighted quite rightly the process available and the protocols associated with supply and the availability of medical cannabis. It is a medical matter and it is important that people recognise that. It requires a doctor or consultant to sign off, and that is something that should not be lost.

Senators Devine and Conway-Walsh made reference to people with disabilities. It is important that we acknowledge there is investment in the area of disabilities. The Minister, Deputy Harris, is very committed to that. As Minister, he is working to ensure we have a national disability strategy. We need to continue with this now that we have more money available to us to invest in the services for people with disabilities. I commend Senator John Dolan on his conference with the mayors on the matter of disability. It was a worthwhile exercise.

Senator Paul Coghlan also made reference to Brexit. The point he made was similar to that of Senator Leyden.

Senators Mac Lochlainn and Feighan made reference to the North and the bonfires yesterday. On Tuesday and yesterday, we had this discussion on the Order of Business. My position has not changed. There is no room for sectarianism or bigotry in any part of our country. We all have different traditions and cultures but there is no excuse for some of the behaviour that was allowed to take place. I am sure the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, will voice his concerns, as he always does as a representative of the Irish Government, and relay them to the UK Government.

I hope we see a return to power-sharing in the North. All of us want to see devolved government rather than direct rule. Thankfully, however, there was a relatively peaceful day in the North yesterday, as Senator Feighan rightly said. Both Senators Conway-Walsh and Feighan referenced Ardoyne. That was the flash point for years. Thanks to the good work on all sides, there was a relatively peaceful day yesterday. It requires leadership. Martin McGuinness's son deserves great praise for the way he handled himself and the way in which he asked people to be calm and respect the fact that there is a better way of doing politics. Megaphone diplomacy and the behaviour we saw in the imagery yesterday does not do anything. From a health and safety point of view, having some of the bonfires so close to schools and buildings is not acceptable. We have come a long way and there is a journey to go. I am thankful that common sense prevailed. Leadership was shown yesterday, which is to be commended.

I am not familiar with the issue Senator Conway-Walsh raised regarding physiotherapy in Mayo. It seems a bit strange that there is no physiotherapist available but it is an operational matter for the HSE, the body that deals with the matter, and not the Minister for Health. I will be happy to liaise with the Minister on the issue for the Senator.