Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Devine will be interested to know that the education budget will see a reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio, more special needs assistants, more teachers, a return to the provision of career guidance as well as the building of new schools under the capital development plan. The Government of which Senator Ó Ríordáin was a member built more schools than any Government in modern times. I am a bit surprised that he did not see that in the Budget Statement. Notwithstanding that, his comments around the right to read campaign will be supported by all Members. Literacy is important and the library in Donaghmede to which the Senator referred is important in this context. I know that the Senator is leading a campaign focusing on that library. Libraries have always been at the heart of communities. They are an important and valuable asset and I certainly hope that the library in Donaghmede will be retained.

Senator Byrne spoke about the Eurowings vote today, involving Shannon Airport in Limerick, and I wish Shannon Airport well in that. I also join Senator Byrne in congratulating the communities in Limerick on the huge voluntary efforts they have made to keep the city and the towns in the county clean and vibrant. The Limerick Going for Gold campaign is wonderful and is strengthening those communities further. It is important to pay tribute to the volunteers who go out, as Senator Byrne has said, so early in the morning.

Senator Davitt made reference to the stamp duty changes and the issue of land. The Finance Bill will be coming before the House for debate and it is important that the Senator would suggest any changes he considers necessary in the areas to which he referred during the debate on that legislation. I am happy to speak to the Senator following the Order of Business to arrange that a note be sent to him on the matter from the Department. In some cases, it is very much a matter for local authorities in terms of how land is zoned, but having said that, the Senator raises an important issue. While agricultural land is a vital and valuable part of our infrastructure, equally important is the need to develop land for housing. We must get that balance right but I would be happy to discuss this further with the Senator later.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, has announced the reopening of that scheme. In terms of the payments, it is disappointing that delays have occurred. Approximately 2.5% of GLAS I and GLAS II applicants have yet to receive payments. Only 0.5% of 2015 applicants are still awaiting payment, while 98% of payments for 2016 have been made. The issue causing the delays, as I understand it, is the lack of a farm nutrient management plan. I am happy to pursue the matter further with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on behalf of Senator Boyhan. I am also happy to arrange a debate on GLAS with the Minister.

Senator Mulherin raised the issue of urology in University Hospital Galway. The facts of the case she outlined were disappointing to hear. I am happy to raise the matter with the Minister of Health. Senator Devine and I are going to lock horns yet again on the issue of health. I am disappointed that the Senator, who is a health professional herself, did not read the Budget Statement on health. I will repeat some points for her, in the hope that they will sink in. I welcome Senator Devine's new-found interest in the Sláintecare report, but as Senator Colm Burke rightly said here yesterday, Sinn Féin did not support Members of this Chamber being part of the Committee on the Future of Healthcare that produced the Sláintecare report. It is a case of crocodile tears for the Senator to come in here today and criticise-----