Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have seen an increase in the recruitment of new gardaí. I am sure the Senator will agree with me that it is good news for rural Ireland.I wish to remind Senator Leyden of a point he raised last week. CCTV cameras are already being used on our motorways and high streets. They play a key role in combating crime.

The establishment of the independent Policing Authority by Government will allow for the commission to look at how resources are distributed and spent. As Senators know well, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for operational matters. It is important that all of us unite as communities to combat crime. The recruitment of more gardaí and the allocation of extra gardaí for community policing is important and will play a role in this regard. The issue around community alert and community involvement is equally important. If people have information, it should come to the fore in the combating of crime. I serve on two policing fora in the city and county of Cork. The work An Garda Síochána is doing is to be commended. The Senator is right in that regard.

Reference was made to the increase in murders. This loss of life is tragic, for a variety of reasons. No one can condone the increase in murders. The point Senator Ardagh made is that we need to see everyone playing a role in combating the horrific murders that are taking place for a variety of reasons. Some relate to gangland crime but others are not related.

The reason I interjected when Senator Craughwell spoke was to be helpful. Senator McFadden has been involved with the Department of Defence and has made representations. I am keen for this to be a celebration of the heroes of the men of Jadotville. I know from talking to the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, and the people in his Department that they are fully aware of the concerns expressed by Senator Craughwell. It is important that the House, through Senator Craughwell making the information available, communicates and engages constructively with the Department. I hope the Senator will do that.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the tragic issue of the search and rescue operation in Galway this morning. I hope that we have a positive and successful outcome to that search and rescue situation. It is a harrowing time for family members. Again, it illustrates the extraordinary work and commitment of people who go out in difficult situations on behalf of all of us. I wish to express my hope that there will be a successful outcome to the search and rescue mission. I praise the men and women who are involved in the matter raised by Senator Ó Clochartaigh.

I wish to make a point on mental health. It is important to note that there has been recruitment in the mental health area. The budget for mental health now stands at €853.1 million, a significant increase since 2012. Some €140 million has been added to the mental health budget. I do not have the specific details regarding the issue of the west to which the Senator referred, but recruitment has taken place in the mental health area. From talking to the Minister of State with responsibility for this area, Deputy Jim Daly, I know that the creation of an all-party committee is something on which we are keen to see further progress. If the Senator wishes to give me the details of the matters he addressed this morning, I would be happy to pass them on to the Minister of State, Deputy Daly.

Senators Grace O'Sullivan and Humphreys raised related issues connected to the provision of a drilling licence by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, as well as the issue of climate change, raised in particular by Senator Humphreys. I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House to address Senator O'Sullivan's position. I am not familiar with the issues. However, with regard to the remarks made by Senator Humphreys on climate change, I am happy to work with him to allow the planned national mitigation statements to evolve. If Senator Humphreys wants tweaks or changes, we can arrange it. There are plans to have statements in the coming weeks. The point Senator Humphreys made is important. I am happy to work with all Members to continue to prioritise climate change.

The issue we have is that the Minister, Deputy Naughten, is committed to the national mitigation plan, which was published in July last year. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, will appear before the House in the coming weeks as part of the agreement in that regard.

Senators Lombard and Conway-Walsh raised the issue of school transport. It is actually extraordinary. I have made enquiries since. I have been a teacher. No one knows where these students will be in April or May of a leaving certificate year. It is extraordinary to come back and claim the position stands because the deadline has passed. It is a small cohort of people. Senators Lombard and Conway-Walsh are correct to raise the matter. What has been done is mind-boggling. Perhaps Senators Lombard and Conway-Walsh could table a joint Commencement matter as a matter of urgency, because we have a full couple of weeks with legislation. I have no wish to mislead the House, but I think that might be a better way of getting an answer. I have already raised the matter with the Department on their behalf and I will do so again this morning.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of housing and the homeless. It is important that we are solutions focused and that we work together as politicians to tackle the issues of homelessness and the housing crisis. It is about ensuring that people, citizens of the Republic, are housed in a proper, decent and respectful way and that their needs are met. I assure the House that the Government is absolutely prioritising the matter. This is about treating people with respect and dignity. It is about understanding the needs of people who are homeless and have different needs. People are homeless for a variety of reasons. It is about ensuring that these people of the Republic are treated with respect and dignity.

We have a cross-party committee on housing. Senator Boyhan rightly raised the issue of the Oireachtas committee. I hope all of us can work together to solve this issue. This is not about playing politics. It is about working together to prioritise the problem. The Government has prioritised it through Rebuilding Ireland. That is why we have allocated €6 billion with an evolving budget and multi-annual funding. It is not that the Government is unaware or living in an ivory tower; the opposite is the case. I welcome the remarks of Senator Boyhan about the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy.

Senator Boyhan and Senator Leyden referred to the issue of councillors' pay and conditions. This afternoon we will have a debate on the matter. Some councillors are unhappy at the decision and the amount of money allocated in terms of an increase in their salary. I hope all of us can continue to work on their behalf. It is not about making glib statements in the House to try to get a headline or to be seen to get a vote. It is about all of us working to prioritise the work of our councillors who are doing extraordinary work. I have made the point this week that I would much prefer to see local authority members be made full-time and be given a proper salary, thereby ending all the anomalies in the system. I would love to see that happen. Perhaps it might not happen in the short term but it is something we should work towards.

Senators Richmond, Feighan, Leyden and Burke raised the issues of the Rugby World Cup, the all-Ireland soccer team and the all-Ireland hockey team. I wish to join Senator Richmond in commending all involved in the Irish bid for the Rugby World Cup. It was an extraordinary presentation.