Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators who raised matters on the Order of Business today.

I join with colleagues who have expressed sympathy with those who have lost loved ones and relatives in the horrific, shocking and tragic scenes in Las Vegas that we have witnessed on the television. There is no question that a lot of the points raised by Senators with regard to gun control are very valid. I will certainly talk to the Leader and perhaps the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade about what could be done in the way of a communication with the US Government on that issue. It is certainly something that happens too regularly in the United States. It is difficult to get one's head around it. I share Senator Lawless's frustration as a person who has a business. I remember being in Chicago and chatting to some people one night, when a guy gestured that he had a gun in his jacket, which was supposed to be so impressive. I was totally disgusted. It is certainly something I have never come across in Europe and it is something I abhor.

Senator Mark Daly raised legislation and issues in the Defence Forces. They are issues that are well raised. I think we should have a debate and that the Senator should share any ideas he has with regard to legislation. It is always up to individual Members to decide to initiate legislation as Senator Daly has done in the past. It might be worth considering. A debate in the meantime to highlight the issues he has raised would be worthwhile.

I have already covered the points that Senator Lawless raised. I seconded Senator Conway-Walsh's request in respect of the NAMA Bill. That is agreeable. I compliment her on arranging a briefing for Members on muscular dystrophy. The Translarna drug is not something with which I am very familiar but I will familiarise myself with the issue. It is certainly something I will bring to the attention of the Minister although I have no doubt that he is aware of it. If so many other EU countries are funding it, it may be something we should consider.

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins raised some interesting points on the EU, Catalonia and the overall democracy issue. Senator McDowell mentioned the possibility of a debate on the future of Europe. We are going to have a debate next week on that issue. There are two hours scheduled and it is up to Senators to contribute to it. Clearly, there is more action required than that, but in the short term it might be an opportunity to raise the issue. The Irish Government respects the constitution and territorial unity of Spain but violence is absolutely never justified.We know from history across the world that this type of violence does not work. They are not achieving what they hope to achieve in carrying out these very violent acts against their own civilians, regardless of the side of the argument they are on.

The idea of a mediator can only be a positive suggestion and the European Union has a huge role to play. The Senator raised the point about the Council of Ministers. I would be shocked if it is not a topic for debate at the Council of Ministers. Regardless of the illegality of the referendum, that could have been addressed in a much more peaceful manner by those objecting to the referendum. If the Senator believes a debate on it is warranted in its own right, it is one I am sure the Leader will be willing to facilitate over the coming weeks.

Senator Nash raised the events in Las Vegas and Catalonia. I have covered his points regarding the EU on which he was supporting Senator Higgins.

Senator Reilly raised an issue about prescription charges. That strikes me as an issue that might make sense as a Commencement debate in advance of the budget. Time constraints may not allow for that but I am sure it is an issue he can raise with the Minister at our parliamentary party meeting, if he has not already raised it with him.

Senator Swanick raised the issue of homelessness. I could not disagree with his words regarding the effect it is bound to have on children. I know he does not want me to give him a long list of the actions we are taking, and there are plenty of actions being taken, but I will suggest that we have a debate on that issue because it is one we endeavour to address on a regular basis as long as the crisis is ongoing. It is certainly an issue we could usefully debate in the House in the near future.

I addressed Senator McDowell's point on the future of Europe. There will be a debate on that issue next Thursday at 12.45 p.m. for two hours. I agree entirely with his proposal that we have a balanced debate because like many issues, it is those who are particularly motivated who tend to get the most air time on any issue so it would be good to have that debate.

Senator Butler has long been a champion for the issue he raised, namely, the self-employed and small retailers. I agree with him that a more professional or strategic approach needs to be taken when it comes to rates, and there are huge anomalies in that regard. Clearly, there must be a need for legislation in this area and, in the meantime, the Senator is requesting a debate on it. It is certainly something we will facilitate, perhaps after the budget.

Senator Ó Donnghaile also raised the events in Catalonia. I have covered the issues and note that the Senator noted the Taoiseach's comments on it and that he would like the Government to go further.

Senator Black raised the events in Catalonia and Las Vegas as well as the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill on which I agree with her comments. It is being said that it will come into the House in the next few weeks. I know no more than that but I have been pushing for it to come in as soon as possible. I raised it today to see when it will be in the House. It is legislation the Government initiated and there is a lot of work, for want of a better word, going on behind the scenes but we need it to come into this House. I believe it will be here before the end of October but I do not have a precise date as yet.

Senator Lombard raised the issue of Irish Water. I do not know the details of the cases he mentioned with regard to schools but that is clearly unacceptable. I want to get more detail from the Senator but then I will raise those issues with the Minister.

Senator Norris mentioned the events in Las Vegas and gun laws. He also raised the case of a transgender individual he has been working for and it strikes me that that would be a good Commencement matter to raise. As he asked, I will relay the comments to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade but he will not be able to do much without knowing the specific case. It would make sense to raise it as a Commencement matter.

In response to Senator Clifford-Lee, it would be a good idea for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come into the House to discuss that report, not least so that he can address concerns, rumours and discussion that has been had in the public at large, in politics and in the media.As such, the Senator's suggestion presents the Minister with an opportunity to set the record straight or to clarify any questions Members might have.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell referred to An Post, as did Senators Martin Conway and John O'Mahony. Clearly, this is another matter on which we need the Minister to come to the House. A great deal is being reported about what is going on. The Government continues to closely monitor the situation at An Post but the reality is that modern technology presents An Post with challenges. People are not sending letters as often as they used to. Clearly, we need to reinvigorate and restrategise how An Post carries out its business. Certainly, it is an issue on which the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, would benefit from the opportunity to set the record straight, if that can be done.

Senator Warfield raised the events in Las Vegas as well as the issue of AIDS and men's sexual health. It might make sense to arrange a debate where the Minister attends to discuss sexual health overall with an emphasis on AIDS and homosexual requirements for individuals to have a good sexual health strategy when it comes to the difficult area of AIDS. A conversation around contraception and sexual health for all sexual orientations would be a good one for the House to have.

Senator Murnane O'Connor raised a very important issue for her area. Would she consider raising it as a Commencement matter so that she can get a precise answer from the Minister? The Minister or a Minister of State would have to come to the House to give her a response. It would give her the opportunity to get into the issue in more detail. That would be a good approach.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh referred to Catalonia. He has long been a supporter of the issue there. I have already addressed the issues and a debate could be worthwhile. There might be an opportunity to have that next week as a debate is already appointed in the diary on the future of the EU. Democracy and issues like this would be very relevant ones to raise at that debate, which represents an early opportunity to discuss the matter.

Senator Conway referred to Catalonia and made some interesting comments on An Post and the recalibration thereof. That completes my response to the Order of Business. I hope I have not left anything out.