Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Where I agree with Senator Leyden is on the point that we must ensure that the regions outside of Dublin and outside the M50, are prioritised for job creation. The Industrial Development Authority, IDA, did this when the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor, was at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and this is continued now by the Minister of State, Deputy Breen, and the Tánaiste. Senator Gallagher's point in regard to broadband internet in Monaghan and Cavan is one of extreme importance and seriousness here, because it is about connectivity.

A report was referred to that was given to Monaghan County Council yesterday. I did not quite understand the name of the group that put it forward. The Minister, Deputy Naughten, and the Government must act on it as a priority. I agree with the Senator. Whether it is in west Cork, west Cavan, Monaghan or parts of Mayo, we must ensure that the regions are connected and that we have a platform within which jobs are created outside of the urban areas. That is something the Government is prioritising, and I am very much of the view that what the Senator is referring to should be prioritised.

I join with other speakers in congratulating Senator Freeman on her new appointment to head up Solace House for the Irish diaspora in New York, and I wish her well in her appointment. I know she is not here. Certainly the diaspora was a theme of the last Government, through the appointment of the Minister of State at the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional and Rural Affairs with responsibility for the diaspora, Jimmy Deenihan. This continues in this Government through the appointment of the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon. The diaspora is very important to us. The mental health of our diaspora is something that has been perhaps forgotten sometimes, but I am glad to see it prioritised now.

I congratulate Senator Martin Conway on his Dine in the Dark initiative last night. This is about raising the visibility of those who are vision-impaired or blind, and it is important that we continue the work that he has started.

Equally, the Blanchardstown local drugs and alcohol task force's "Think Before you Buy" community initiative is one that we all support and we hope sees results. It is not about different socio-economic groups, but about all of us combined, working to combat the misuse of drugs in our society.

Déanaim comhghairdeachas le Marty Walsh as a bheith athtofa mar mhéara ar Bhostún. I join Senator Ó Clochartaigh in congratulating Mayor Marty Walsh. I join the Senator in wishing him well in his new term as Mayor of Boston. He has been a very dynamic Mayor in his first term, and as the Senator quite rightly said, he has never been ashamed or afraid to cite and use his Irish links as a part of his mayoralty. It is a good day for the city of Boston now that Mayor Walsh has been returned.

The situation in Catalonia is an ongoing evolving issue. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Government are aware of that, and are maintaining an overview on the situation. I am sure we will get an insight in the coming weeks when we have a debate in the House on that issue. The issue of the future of Europe and what it stands for is a different issue, and we will have that debate in the coming weeks as well.

Senator Dolan raised the issue of the cost of living for people with disabilities. The budget did see an increase in the allocation of payments to people with disabilities. However, the Senator is right that we need an ongoing debate on the disparity between those who need to pay more to maintain a standard of living and the rest of our citizens. I would be happy to have that debate in the House.

Senator Feighan referred to the issue of Brexit. I hope that we have a debate in the House on Brexit in the coming weeks.I thank those Members of the House who travelled to Westminster. It is important that we have dialogue. Whether we agree with Members of the UK Parliament on this is irrelevant, this is about ensuring our voice is heard.

Senator Paddy Burke commended the Garda on its work in combating crime. It is important that people who have information regarding a crime go to the Garda. The importance of community policing cannot be overstated. I join the Senator in congratulating the Garda on its work.

Senator Ó Domhnaill referred to the greyhound industry and the issue of the greyhound that tested positive for cocaine. The Irish Greyhound Board, IGB, has a proactive control mechanism in place. Its control committee is carrying out an official investigation regarding that greyhound. The prize money has been frozen, as the Senator is probably aware. It is important to stress that the prize money has not been paid out pending an analytical outcome of no adverse findings. The IGB has enhanced its anti-drug doping regime. If there is an issue that needs to be addressed, the IGB will not be found wanting. The Senator was right in that it is important the IGB listens to the owners and breeders because they are at the heart of the greyhound industry. I join him in emphasising that point.

I have addressed the points raised by Senator Conway-Walsh and Swanick. Senator Ruane raised the issues of sexism, misogyny, sexual abuse and sexual violence. Abusive power has no place in society - none whatever. All of us who are in positions of responsibility as Members of this House and Members of the Oireachtas must play our role in ensuring our work is carried out in a manner that is fair, equitable and has no tolerance of any misuse whatsoever. I would be happy to arrange for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House to address the matters the Senator raised. The Minister was to meet members of the Gate Theatre either yesterday or today. This is an issue to which we cannot turn a blind eye. I commend all those women and the men who have come forward who have been victims. I hope they will be given the support and help, in some cases, that is needed for them to get on with their lives and to right a wrong.

Senator Davitt raised the issue of councillors' pay and conditions, an important issue which unifies all of us in this House. Many Members of the House are writing, emailing and telephoning councillors regarding this issue and sometimes I think they do that too much. There is a need for the role of the councillor to be recognised, the hard work they carry out on behalf of the people who elect them and on behalf of their communities where they serve on a variety of boards and strategic policy committees, SPCs, and are involved in amending development plans which require them to be very competent and capable. We are lucky with the quality of people we have in local government. I am confident that the Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, together with the Minister with responsibility for local government, Deputy Murphy, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Finance will address this issue in the coming weeks. It is important that councillors' remuneration is kept up to a level, not least because they deserve it, but that the rate of pay will ensure we have quality people staying on in their roles and continuing to work in local government.