Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators who raised a variety of issues. I do not know whether we are going to stick to the rule that one issue is raised per person. Certainly, there are plenty of issues today.

Senator Ardagh raised the issue of waiting lists and lack of capacity. Some €75 million has been spent in this year's budget on this issue. While I take the point the Senator is raising, and it is a serious issue, under the 2017 waiting list action plan the NTPF has advised that so far this year 11,797 patients have been authorised for treatment with more than 4,700 patients having accepted an offer of treatment, and over 2,000 of these patients having received their procedure. On 1 October, funding of €700,000 was allocated by the NTPF to roll out an endoscopy initiative for 2017. Approval was given to the HSE on 25 September to drive a national waiting list validation project. This funding will provide for dedicated capacity within the HSE to support systematic and regular waiting list validation and continued focus on scheduled care.

Senator Ardagh also raised the issue of sentencing. I share Members' views on this. There is a certain level of frustration. The House will understand that I cannot comment about an individual case such as the case that has been mentioned. It is important to be aware that sentencing is a matter within the remit of the Judiciary and it is not open to the Minister to intervene directly. The Government published the Judicial Council Bill in 2017. The Bill provides for the establishment of a judicial council, as Senators will be aware. A sentencing information committee will also be established to collate information on sentencing imposed by the courts. The report of the working group, Strategic Review of Penal Policy, published in July 2014, considered the issue of developing sentencing guidelines. Nevertheless, it is an issue that could do with debate in this House.

The 'flu jab was mentioned by Senator Ardagh. There has been discussion in the media recently about the 'flu jab. The 'flu, by its nature, is an evolving virus and it changes based on geographic location. There is much talk about our 'flu jab not covering certain strains of 'flu but I would not want that to dissuade people from having the jab because it covers most types of 'flu that one can get. I would hate for the message to go out that if one gets the 'flu jab, it will not be sufficient. I can see Senator Swanick smiling at me. Maybe I am not describing the medical reality of it. It is important, notwithstanding any strains of 'flu that exist in Australia or wherever, that we get the jab that is available in this country.

Senator Boyhan mentioned the Teagasc strategy, and how many patients are on trolleys this morning. I understand the HSE held a weather-ready meeting on Monday, 23 October, which was attended by hospital groups, hospital community health care organisations, CHOs, primary care providers as well as HSE management as part of work to finalise integrated winter plans for all sites for the coming winter. This is part of a pro-active and integrated approach to winter planning in order that the health services are ready for the increased demand for health services, in particular, emergency department, ED, services in the months ahead. The point is well made that this is an issue that needs to be addressed.

With regard to fast-track planning, I would be interested to hear from the Minister on that issue. It links in with a point made by another Senator which I will come to. A debate in the area of fast-track planning and planning generally with the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, would be a good idea.

The last time I took questions Senator Mac Lochlainn mentioned the issue of community funding. All I can say to the Senator is I will follow up. After the Senator mentioned it on the last occasion, I spoke to the Minister, Deputy Ring, who stated he would come back to me on it. In fairness, the Minister seemed to be interested in the issue. Following on from what the Cathaoirleach stated, and as I stated on the previous occasion, I would say it is an issue for a Commencement debate on which Senator Mac Lochlainn will get a direct answer from a Minister. Perhaps the Senator raised it already but it would be no harm to raise a follow-up one. It would be important that, even if an issue is mentioned on the Order of Business, it would not necessarily preclude Senators from raising it. If it is raised here one day and then the next day the Senator has a Commencement matter, that would be serious duplication, which we should avoid.

Senator Higgins raised the issue of sexual abuse, the SAVI report and the research on sexual violence which is badly needed. The Domestic Violence Bill is being considered by the Department of Justice and Equality at present and it will be back in the House next month. That is fresh off the press. The Senator will be pleased to hear that.

The trial of the human rights activists is a foreign affairs issue. It is something that we will bring to the attention of, and no doubt is already being considered by, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister.

Senator Kevin Humphreys raised the issue of affordable housing. I have already stated that the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, should come into the House to discuss the planning area. It really is a planning issue that Senator Humphreys is referring to because if there was fast-track planning for cases such as this, it would get around the issue which he raises.

Senator Byrne complimented the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on its work when it comes to trade missions. The Senator's comments highlight the value of trade missions, which are perceived to be jollies in a way but which are really hard work. Ministers and representatives from Ireland work hard on those trade missions and I thank the Senator for raising it here.

Senator Swanick raised the United Nations day issue, and the Robert Mugabe comments which I wholeheartedly agree with. In fairness, they have changed their minds. It was unbelievable, and I would share the Senators thoughts on that.

Senator Craughwell was passionate today about the banks and I can understand why. I share the Senator's frustration. When one telephones a bank now, one cannot get to speak to somebody or one must go around the houses to get to speak to somebody. The day is gone where there is any real customer service in banks. It is, quite frank, unacceptable. When it comes to those who are in difficult situations, the empathy seems to be gone out of that area entirely. I congratulate the Senator on the last payment of his mortgage. I wish I was at that stage where I was making my last payment on my mortgage. When it comes to the crew of the LÉ Niamh, that is an issue for a Commencement debate. I would suggest that the Senator do that.

Senator McFadden raised the pay and conditions of councillors, which I think we would all agree with. The Minister of State, Deputy John Paul Phelan, was in here for a Commencement debate, but it would be a good idea to get him in for an entire debate on this area because it is an issue that interests us all. With regard to Army cooks, that feeds in to - pardon the pun - the wider issue of the Defence Forces. It is a good idea. The Senator is doing good, as it is her area. Given the contributions today, there is a serious need to have the Minister in. Indeed, it will be arranged, probably the second week after we come back, that he will come into the House.

Senator Gavan raised an issue regarding the Shannon. I cannot really speak about it. I do know about the issue to which the Senator refers.It is certainly an issue that perhaps should be raised. If that is Senator Gavan's information it should certainly be communicated to An Garda Síochána and I would expect that as a Member of the Oireachtas Senator Gavan would be entitled to a response on what the Garda's approach is to a situation as described by the Senator. Senator Gavan could follow it up with the Minister if the response is unsatisfactory.

Senator Feighan does great work and should be acknowledged for his work on Irish-British relations. He has highlighted the recent visit by the Taoiseach to France, and that Ireland would be considered part of La Francophoniegroup. Brexit is a negative for Ireland but this aspect is a positive part of Brexit; that we must diversify and look to other countries for arrangements, trade and potential. It is good to hear positive talk around Brexit. I commend Senator Feighan for arranging the upcoming trip. Unfortunately, due to other commitments I cannot make. I hope it is a constructive meeting and that the Members have an enjoyable time with colleagues in the UK.

Senator Murnane O'Connor spoke on community groups and the CCTV scheme. This is an issue for a Commencement debate. It is very specific and I believe the Senator would get great satisfaction from a one-on-one with the Minister on the topic. I do not know the full extent of the scheme and how it operates but perhaps there is a communications issue. If there is, the Senator will need to raise it with the Minister directly in a Commencement debate. That is not to say that I will not communicate it to the Minister, but I believe that would be the best way forward.