Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have to defend the work of Dublin City Council in the main. I would be happy to have a debate in the context of the discussion and planning. I hope to have a debate on the national planning framework after the mid-term break.

I join with Senator Mulherin in welcoming the appointment of Caitriona Perry and Keelin Shanley, who will be the first all-female panel to host "Six-One News". It is a wonderful innovative announcement by RTÉ. They are very fine journalists and broadcasters and I wish them well. I thank Brian Dobson for being a safe, steady pair of hands during his tenure on "Six-One News". Those who had the pleasure or displeasure of being interviewed by him know he was always very courteous and fair. We wish him well in his new appointment. We also wish Sharon Ní Bheoláin well as she moves on to a different career in RTÉ.

Senator Mulherin also asked for the issue of climate change to be discussed, and I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House in that regard.

Senator Gavan raised the issue of education and the Education (Admissions to Schools) Bill. I would be happy for the Minister to come to the house. I hope his children were not at mass for the entire school day, because it would be a long mass if it they were. We live in a republic and we are democratic. I welcome the fact that the Senator was able to make a decision and that his children were not penalised for that. The Minister will return to the House to deal with the Education (Admissions to Schools) Bill.

Senator Lombard referred to transatlantic flights out of Cork. I join with him in congratulating Cork Airport on its strategic vision. It attracted Norwegian Air to Cork. It means passengers not just in Cork but also Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Clare and other parts of the country can use Cork Airport from a transatlantic point of view. The flight to Providence, Rhode Island, is a very positive departure for Cork and has brought another dimension to the airport.

It is a very good flight, and I have been on it. A strategic marketing fund needs to be made available. There is a duty on all stakeholders, including Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, the city and county councils, the Department, the Irish Hotels Federation and tourism bodies, to work with Cork Airport to promote the flights and the airport. Last week, Senator Colm Burke referred to the flights out of Cork. Aer Lingus must use Cork Airport as a hub for its transatlantic flights and for travel to European and non-European destinations thus offering customers greater choice. The more people who fly out of Cork Airport the greater opportunity to reduce the price of flights.

Senator Noone has been a very strong champion of preventive health measures. I am pleased to announce to the House that the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 will be back with us when we resume after the mid-term break, provided the House votes to adjourn for the break at the end of the day. It is important that the Bill is passed. It is important that the ambiguity by some parties in this House about the public sale of alcohol is brought to a head and they make their decisions known. I agree with the Senator that it is time the legislation was enacted because we, as legislators, and as a society must address the misuse of alcohol.

Senator Ruane raised an issue about the Firhouse Educate Together school. I am unfamiliar with the issue. My advice, if I can use that term, to her is to table a Commencement matter or she can contact the Minister. From my own experience of schools, the pupil-teacher ratio is based on the number of pupils in the school. Unfortunately, I have not got the information for her regarding same.

Senator Feighan made reference to the 'flu vaccination. It is important that we all lead on this matter. We must show our support for the vaccination through social media, and in our constituency advice offices and clinics. We must ask people to engage with the HSE to avail of the 'flu vaccination, which is the best way to prevent the 'flu.

Senator Boyhan made a good point when he called for the deadline to lodge submissions for the national planning framework to be extended. I know the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government is anxious for the process to conclude. I believe extending the deadline by a fortnight is appropriate. Therefore, I join with the Senator in his call for an extension. I understand from talking to officials in the Department that they are anxious for the process to conclude but it is important that people contribute. Last week on the Order of Business, Senator Murnane O'Connor asked people to make submissions. I reiterate that it is important that people make submissions. I shall convey Senator Boyhan's request to the Department.