Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will not be able to do so because I have been asked to respond to the Order of Business and am doing so. I welcome Senator Bacik's Private Members' Bill. We hoped to see that expedited in the past. It is a Bill we have supported.

I join with Senator McFadden in congratulating Athlone Institute of Technology on its success. I hope we will see the Technological Universities Bill back in the House relatively soon. I know the Department is working on it. We had hoped to have it in the schedule for the coming weeks but it is in the legislative programme in the short term.

Senator Horkan mentioned the issue of obesity and, like Senator Lawless, indirectly mentioned the sugar tax. The umbrella that is Healthy Ireland is one that we should embrace, run with, work with and promote because it is about promoting a healthy Ireland. I hope we will find unanimity or a common approach to ensure we can see the issue of obesity tackled and Healthy Ireland promoted.

I congratulate Senator Lawless on his contribution last week at the conference at which he spoke. It was a very fine contribution. In respect of the matter he raised regarding the sugar tax, I certainly hope, as Senator Reilly said, that we do not see the big corporations try to bedevil what we are trying to achieve here. The Senator is right regarding the issue of optometry. We should see a community hospital-based approach and I would be happy to invite the Minister to come to the House to discuss that because it is about ensuring that people are treated and that it can be done in the community.

Senator Reilly referenced the issue of housing. He is right in terms of the mental health budget and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, CAMHS, with the 16 to 18-year-olds, who I hope can be treated by CAMHS. I would be happy to invite the Minister to come to the House to discuss that.

Senator Devine made reference to the Apple tax case. The Government is appealing the Commission's decision with regard to that. The Senator made reference to the issue of mental health. I have mentioned that we will have an increase of €35 million in the mental health budget which will allow for new posts to be created for people to be able to access services. We all welcome the allocation of extra moneys for the mental health budget. I join with the Senator in congratulating Diageo on its investment in a new living quarter in the Liberties in Dublin 8. I had reason to be there last weekend and it is a development that will add to the vibrancy that is emerging in that area. It is an old part of Dublin that we all want to see restored to its former glory.

Senator Lombard referenced the issue of the Cork city and county local government structure. I join with him in hoping that there will be a conclusion to the matter. It is of the utmost importance to the people of Cork that this matter is brought to a successful conclusion sooner rather than later. Irrespective of one's viewpoints regarding the proposed structure, what is needed now for the people and structure of local government in Cork is a resolution that can be implemented so that we can have jobs, houses and services for people in whatever local authority in which they reside. I hope that whatever internal arguments, dissensions or disputes exist can be resolved quickly.

I have answered Senator Murnane O'Connor's contribution. In response to Senator Mulherin, I would be happy to invite the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, to come to the House to discuss flood defences because the Senator has referenced Ballina and Crossmolina on more than one occasion in the House. We have seen the CFRAM study but it needs to be implemented so that we can allay the fears of people in Crossmolina and Ballina.

Senator Boyhan raised national rehabilitation services and I am very happy to have that debate. I have submitted the request to the Minister's office and I hope it will happen in the coming weeks. Senator Butler raised the issue of Brexit. As we know, there was another round of negotiations on Monday following on from Prime Minister May's speech in Florence and her speech at the Conservative Party conference. The Government position has been quite clear.In regard to our position, the European Union has made its position quite clear. The talks are continuing and I would be happy to have discussions again here in regard to Brexit.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh made reference to the issue of Catalonia. I have not seen the events in the Catalan Parliament today. All of us are concerned about what has happened in Catalonia. There are two sides. We saw the equally strong protest on Monday of the "Remain" side, if I can use that word. The Taoiseach has made the Government's position clear, that it is a matter entirely for the Spanish people. That is a view with which the Senator may disagree. That is fair enough. We are still in a democracy and I respect the Senator's right.