Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Again, I wish to acknowledge, as I did on Tuesday, that there are issues of retention regarding members of the Defence Forces. Whether he chooses to recognise it, the fact of the matter is clear: recruitment is under way and investment is ongoing, including in new naval ships, capital projects and equipment. There has been an increase in budget 2018 to reverse the pay cuts and restore pay levels of members of the Defence Forces.

If Senator Craughwell wants to be Commander-in-Chief, then he must be aware of all the facts. He cannot simply cherry-pick as Uachtarán of our country. He should be aware of all the issues. Despite the fact that he might be getting bad advice, the buck stops with him. I realise that he is going to the PDFORRA conference this week and next week and that the association is his nominating body. That is his prerogative. However, we should be aware of three things. The issue of cyber security is, first of all, a sensitive matter that we cannot have in the public domain such that everyone knows what we are doing to counteract it. Second, it is an all-of-government approach. It is not only a matter for the Defence Forces; it is across every Department.

Third, if Senator Craughwell is not aware, he should be aware that the Defence Forces have an issue that they are addressing in terms of working collaboratively on defence networks. That is happening. Equally, he should be aware of the question of pay of members of the Defence Forces. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, has established a pay commission that is looking at the issue of public pay. As Senator Craughwell knows well, there has been a reversal of the FEMPI cut. I wish to put on record that the Army bomb disposal unit has responded to 85 cases this year, plus hoaxes. The explosive ordnance disposal unit has responded to all call-outs. Let us put that on the record as well rather than some of the issues we hear from Senator Craughwell.

I join Senator Devine in raising an issue that is to the fore in many of our homes and communities. Many of us have family members and friends who are affected by dementia. The need for a national dementia strategy has never been more apparent. I join the Senator in welcoming the establishment of Understand Together. I know the launch was today and I am sorry that I could not get to it. I thank Senator Devine for giving me the badge in the rain. It is an important issue that we need to see highlighted collaboratively on a cross-party basis. It is about ensuring that we put in place proper funding and a proper strategy. It is important that people, not only senior citizens but people of all ages, who are affected by dementia are treated and get the quality of support, care and understanding they deserve. I will work with Senator Devine in that regard. I thank her for her comments this morning.

Senator Ó Ríordáin raised the issue of the Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland report.It is about ensuring we understand what the Government is doing. Through legislation and investment, it is investing in tackling sexual and domestic violence. The Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Coveney, said in the Dáil on Tuesday that if the experts tell the Government that the €1 million for a new study is needed it will be provided. The Taoiseach has asked the Ministers, Deputies Zappone, Flanagan and Harris, to examine the statistics. We are constantly receiving statistics from different agencies. The question is whether we need to commission another report. The Taoiseach has made it quite clear that if we need to update the research on sexual violence the money will be found and we will examine the issue.

The Garda and CSO have the figures. I am a member of the policing forum in Cork. There has been an increase in reporting there, which is to be welcomed. People have the courage and bravery to come forward so we can shine the country's glare on the atrocities people experienced inside and outside their homes.

As Senator Noone said, there has been an increase in minor public assaults in Cork linked to the night time economy and alcohol. I will return to the alcohol Bill later.

Tusla has had €22 million made available to it. Let us join together on the issue and have value-for-money so we can eradicate and highlight the issue.

Senator Ó Ríordáin referred to the tracker mortgage situation. The Government is committed to tackling the issue. Senators O'Donnell and Conway-Walsh also referred to the issue. Senator Conway-Walsh used the word "admonish". Banks have been called to task. They will be forced to account for themselves. As Senator O'Donnell said, the fundamental goal of Government is to ensure justice and recompense for those who have been so badly treated. It is a disgrace and we cannot condone what happened or allow it to continue. That is why the Government has acted and the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, has brought the banks in. They will be held to account. Whether they are admonished, scolded or held to account, the wording is irrelevant. The outcome is what we will be judged on. That is what the Government will do.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the issue of JobPath and activation measures. Sometimes I wonder whether we should come in here with bad news every day. Is it not a great sign for our country that unemployment is down to its lowest level in over a decade and a half, that more people are back at work and that the JobPath programme has been a success? Activation measures have worked. There is silence. There is no welcome. There are no congratulations for those who are back at work. They are the citizens, in our republic, who want to go out and contribute.