Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 18 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. I will begin with the remarks of Senator Ardagh. I am hopeful that the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection will be coming before the House soon.As the Senator knows, the Minister is very committed to eradicating poverty from our society. From the perspective of the Minister and the Government, the most important way to eradicate poverty is to create jobs and to give people an income, be they single parents, lone parents or families. This is why it is important to recognise that under the current Government and its predecessor, the number of people in work has increased. It is also about breaking down barriers that are preventing people from getting a fair chance. This is what the Government is about; creating a just and fair republic of opportunity for all our citizens. Senator Ardagh is aware that the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, has previously stated that tackling child poverty is a key goal of her tenure in the Department. We all accept that a disproportionate number of people are affected by poverty. The Senator made reference to child poverty today and it is an area where we need to see a continuation of the work of the Government. A whole-of-government approach is required. As Senator Ardagh knows, 2015 was the first year since 2008 that Ireland saw a reduction in the number of children who are in consistent poverty. When compared with 2014, in 2015 there was a 13,000 or approximately 9% decrease in the number of children in consistent poverty. We all accept the figure is still too high. When the figures for 2016-17 are published, they will show that there has been a significant movement of people out of poverty. It is important that we invest in all children, whatever part of society they come from. This is why the previous Government created a Minister for Children and Youth Affairs at Cabinet. It is why we are committed to breaking the cycle of poverty as per the European Commission report. I very much look forward to working with all Members of the House in tackling the issue of poverty, and especially childhood poverty.

Many Senators, yesterday and today, raised issues in respect of Storm Ophelia. I join Senator Ardagh in commending the crews of the ESB who, in very rough, difficult terrain and in very difficult circumstances, have reconnected many places that lost power during the storm. I believe that as of 8 a.m. this morning, approximately 70% of those who lost power had their electricity supply restored. Some people remain without power and it will take time. I appeal to people's patience with regard to the restoration of power to homes and premises.

Senators Ardagh and Kieran O'Donnell made reference to insurance companies. It is important that the insurance companies work with people to ensure they are not ripped off. They are, and they should not be allowed to rip off people who are at their most vulnerable following the storm. I join with the Senators' sentiments in that regard.

I would be very happy to have the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, come to the House to discuss the issues of fisheries. As Senators have rightly said, many of the fishermen who fish off our coasts have been affected most severely by Storm Ophelia. I would be happy to have that debate after the storm review by the Government. I also mentioned a review yesterday with regard to Senator Craughwell and the Minister of State with responsibility for Defence, Deputy Kehoe. I would be happy to have that debate.

Senator McDowell paid tribute to the Leas-Chathaoirleach in his role as Chairman of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, and to Senator Freeman, on the publication of the report of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee on children's' mental health services. I was pleased to be part of the committee and to be at the launch today. In his contribution Senator McDowell spoke of the importance of cross-party consensus and about not being just political. We should not be political in the Seanad Public Consultation Committee. We should work together to benefit the young children, in this case. In his speech at the launch this morning the Leas-Chathaoirleach's remarks were apt, especially when he spoke about the humbling experience of listening to the testimony of the parents involved. It was a very harrowing but important part of the work done by the committee. I compliment the Leas-Chathaoirleach on his steering of the committee and for his Chairmanship. It is about achieving consensus and Senator McDowell was right to reference a previous Minister, Tim O'Malley. If we consider A Vision for Change, in one sense it still stands as the bible or the blueprint for how we can go forward. This requires, as the report states and to which the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, is committed, investment in community facilities and community outreach in order that we can have people living in the community among us as part of their families. It is also about changing the mindset and breaking down the barriers around mental health. The report has many fine recommendations but it requires a whole-of-Government approach and a whole-of-agency approach with joined up thinking, which perhaps we have not seen. This is why the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, Oireachtas committees or Senator Marie-Louise McDonnell's very fine piece of work on end-of-life care challenge the norm and challenge the perceptions of officialdom. We must continue to push the mindsets to bring change that can benefit all our citizens. I commend Senator Freeman and the Leas-Chathaoirleach on the work that was done on the report launched today. I very much look forward to that all-party approach continuing in the area of mental health. It is through consensus that we can achieve better results and outcomes.

Senator Conway-Walsh spoke about how good it was to see the Taoiseach attending engagements in Derry. Senators Conway-Walsh and Feighan made reference to the Border poll. As a co-guarantor, the Government is committed to the Good Friday Agreement. We must all take cognisance of Senator Feighan's remarks. Those of us who want to see a united Ireland must recognise that it cannot happen in one dimension, it has to take time. Perhaps this will require a change of mindsets by everybody. I was disappointed to see in the newspapers this morning and in the news last night that it would appear the DUP and Sinn Féin are not close to agreement on going back into government in the North of our country, where I believe we should have a government especially when we are entering into a very critical phase of the Brexit negotiations. The citizens of our country, North and South, require a government to be a party to these negotiations and to advocate on their behalf. These are the people who elected Sinn Féin to go into Stormont to work on their behalf. Senator Feighan's words this morning were important as they related to the outcome. None of us want to have a rushed outcome or the wrong result - if I can use that phrase. Others have a different viewpoint to me; I am only giving a personal viewpoint. It needs to be done by consensus and by working with people. The best way to demonstrate the ability to do that is for the parties to go back into government in the North. Senator Conway-Walsh may take that back to her party leadership, if they are serious about going into government in the North.

Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin made reference to special needs assistants. I spoke about this issue yesterday as it was raised in the Order of Business. In the budget allocation the Government has announced 1,090 new special needs assistant posts. This brings to nearly 3,000 the number of positions that the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, has created. It is a source of worry and discontent that the vote was taken last weekend. As a teacher myself, the model of distribution of special needs assistants is based upon the needs of students and the whole school cohort. I accept that perhaps there could be a more timely resolution to the outcome with regard to the allocations of SNAs for the school year ahead. It is important that a model of delivery for SNA allocations to schools could be done earlier rather than later. I accept the frustration that many special needs assistants face but the Minister, Deputy Bruton is ensuring that we have a model that delivers for the pupil who needs the special needs assistant.

I join Senator Ó Ríordáin in welcoming the fundraising event to be held next Sunday for marriage equality in the North. An important game of football will be held. I will not be able to go unfortunately as I will be at the opening of Páirc Uí Chaoimh. I wish all those involved in the fundraiser well. The Senator spoke of Australia. It is wonderful that we have an Irishman, Mr. Tiernan Brady, leading the Australian marriage equality campaign and working with the Australian people on that.