Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator O'Mahony raised some very important issues in sport. On the matter of ticketing and the Olympic Council of Ireland, OCI, I join with the Senator in welcoming the severing of that link. I praise the new president of the OCI for the stellar work that is being done on behalf of the OCI. On the Senator's other point, we once again witnessed the age-old chestnut of price-gouging by airline companies in respect of flights immediately after the announcement of the date of the Denmark match. That is deplorable and unacceptable. I call on all the airlines to ensure that extra flights are put on. They are discommoding Irish people who want to travel and who will support them in other ventures and in other ways. It is unfair that they are making more profit on the backs of people who want to support our national team. Senator O'Mahony's point is well made.

Senator Swanick referred to issues relating to Irish prisons and the anniversary of the release of the Guildford Four. We all remember the days when people were wrongly incarcerated and we welcome their acquittal. On the point the Senator made in terms of investment in the Irish Prison Service, I remind him that the previous Government, when there was no money in the country, opened a new prison in Cork. In the context of the recent budget, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, was able to secure additional funds of €157 million for capital investment in the Prison Service. Of this, €120 million will be used to modernise Limerick Prison. Capital funding allowing for the improvement of facilities in Portlaoise Prison, Shelton Abbey, Loughan House, the Dóchas Centre, Cloverhill Prison and Wheatfield Prison will also be provided. In tandem with that, this funding will ensure that the master plan for Mountjoy Prison will be brought to fruition.

We all agree with the Senator on the need for education in prisons in order that people who are incarcerated have the opportunity to educate themselves or to be educated. As a former director of adult education, I worked with the Prison Service to bring certain courses to Cork Prison. Education is of benefit to the prisoner. We all welcome that. We equally welcome the fact that there has been capital investment to end the practice of slopping out, which we all agree is inhumane and should not be allowed to continue.

On Senator Boyhan's point, I would be happy to have the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, come to the House. The Senator spoke on a Commencement matter this morning in respect of the situation regarding driving tests. This is a very serious issue which is having a profound impact on many young people in particular. The Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Griffin, gave the Senator a comprehensive reply earlier. I will not go back through it but this is a matter which requires urgent attention and I will be happy to have the Minister come the House in that regard.

Senator Noone raised the issue of diabetes. She has been very strong in her advocacy regarding obesity and the sugar tax. What she did last week was of huge importance in the promotion of the need for healthy lifestyles. I will try to have the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Catherine Byrne, come to the House in the coming weeks.

Senator Warfield raised the issue of the deaf community. It was a very profound day yesterday when the Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016 was passed by the Seanad. As Leader of the House and on behalf of the Fine Gael group, I was very pleased that the Government of which we are members played its role in ensuring that the Bill passed through the House. I commend all Members of the House for their work in support of the Bill. It was a very important day. The remarks the Senator made are really a matter for the broadcasting section, but I would be happy to raise it at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on the Senator's behalf. We might have a conversation about that before next week's meeting. It is an important issue. Members of the deaf community should be able to access all services across the Houses. That is important.

Senators Marie-Louise O'Donnell, McDowell, Craughwell and Norris all mentioned the independence of Independent Members. All I can say to those on the Independent benches who are feeling very aggrieved is that I have membership cards for the Fine Gael Party. Senator McDowell can come home, he is more than welcome and we would love to have him back. Senator Craughwell was also a member of the party at one time. He can also come back and is more than welcome. Senators Mullen and Boyhan are welcome.