Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would very much like that or whatever the Cathaoirleach wants to implement. I am replying to the 22 Members.

The issue of Syria is a very important one. We will have a debate on foreign affairs next week or the week after. Senator Bacik raised an important matter. I noted her remarks on the gender pay gap and I am happy to have the Minister come to the House on that. The Minister replied in the Dáil today to a parliamentary question on the commission. I noted the Senator's remarks. I will be happy to have that debate in Government time if we can.

Senator Reilly raised the issue of the Army and pensions. The Minister, Deputy Doherty, has committed to that issue in terms of the restoration and the anomaly. Equally, in terms of the new GP contract and the FEMPI measures, the Minister, Deputy Harris, is committed to their reversal.

Senators Horkan, Noone and Paddy Burke raised the issue of recycling our plastics in China. I agree with all of them on the issue. It is a matter that will not go away. It requires urgent action at European and national level. As Senator Horkan and Burke said, the issue of the sourcing of the product in China is one it is important to get right. As Senator Horkan said, the Minister, Deputy Naughten, has set up a recycling ambassador programme with 650 workshops across the country. The issue of education is important for us as a State because if one looks at the figures for contamination of the dry recyclable bin, it is around 38% or 28%, which is a huge figure. The principle behind the Waste Reduction Bill is one we all subscribe to but I am happy for the Minister to come to the House to have the debate the Senators require.

I join Senator Craughwell in condemning the abuse on social media of any Member of the House whatever his or her viewpoint. We are all subjected to it irrespective of who we are and there must be a certain level of decorum and respect on any forum of debate. I do not support the trolling of Senator Noone by outside of the State groups from Massachusetts who have been advised to intervene in the debate.Irrespective on one's viewpoint, Senator Noone has shown herself to be a very competent and professional Chair of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, as she has been as a Member of this House having been elected on a number of occasions. No Member of the House should be subjected to the abuse she has received in recent weeks.

Senator Craughwell also raised the very important issue of our national flag. I wish Sergeant Major O'Callaghan well in his retirement. The raising and lowering of the national flag is important. There should be adherence to criteria regarding the standard and quality of the flag on public buildings.

Senators Devine and Noone raised the issue of the digital commissioner. Before Christmas the Taoiseach stated that he was not proceeding with the appointment of the digital commissioner as of now. He called on the technology companies to be more proactive and that is as much as I know. Perhaps Senators Devine and Noone might raise the issue as a Commencement matter to get it addressed.

I join Senator Colm Burke in welcoming the creation of the 48,000 new jobs and the fact that more people are back in work in our country today. Like him, I hope that the recommendations from the Ombudsman's report on the treatment abroad scheme will be implemented. I know it is a serious and complex issue. It goes back to people being able to access treatment. I heard remarks attributed to Mr. John Hennessy of the HSE this morning on the radio. I certainly hope the Department of Health and the HSE take seriously the Ombudsman's report and implement it.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh, who had to leave, made reference to the distressing story of the young child in Carraroe. I do not have the information to hand. Certainly there are protocols that need to be followed. I suggest he raise this as a Commencement matter. I would be happy to have the issue taken back to the Minister and the HSE.

Senator Swanick raised the very important issue of the transformation that took place as a consequence of the sitting of the First Dáil in 1919 and the legislation around the declaration of independence Bill. I would be happy to liaise with the Senator afterwards on the progression of the Bill.

Senator Coffey raised the issue of the commission of investigation into Bill Kenneally. I know the Senator has spoken and written to the Minister for Justice and Equality. It is a very serious matter and one on which the victims, who very bravely came forward, deserve to have answers. It is unacceptable to have any delay in justice or any collusion in the obstruction of justice by anybody. In this matter we must support the victims. I know the Senator has been very proactive in this matter. I would be very happy to have the Minister come to the House. I know from talking to the Minister and listening to the Taoiseach's remarks on it, that the Government is committed to uncovering the truth as to what happened.

Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of the data protection Bill. I am not aware of the transcript of the work in the committee, other than what she said today. We have to be very careful and very proactive on the matter. As we all know, increasing numbers of young people are engaging on social media. It is a fact of modern life that social media and the digital world are becoming more prevalent and accessible at a younger age for people. We need to see action on it.

Senator Kieran O'Donnell raised the issue of Limerick. I think I have addressed the issue of bed capacity that he commented on.

Further to what Senator Richmond said, I would be happy for the Minister, Deputy Ross, to come to the House on the provision of public transport in south Dublin. The point he makes in the context of Sandyford is that it is disheartening that people have to go four or five stops away from the city centre to be able to get on the Luas. That is a matter for the Luas management, Dublin City Council and the Minister to come together on. I will have the debate at an early opportunity.

I congratulate Senator Richmond and his wife on the birth of Luke Thomas, who I know has brought them great joy and happiness. I wish him and his new family every success and joy.

I am very pleased the Seanad committee on Brexit has been given an extension to its work thanks to the work of the Seanad CPP. It is important that Brexit features prominently in this House and I am happy to do that.

Senator Ó Céidigh raised the issue of the work of Fáilte Ireland in the provision of tourism.I am not familiar with the issue of Mullingar and the staffing levels there, but if he wants to give me the relevant information, I would be happy to put it to the Minister.

I inform the House, mar fhocal scoir, that the Taoiseach will be before the House on 1 February, as we agreed before Christmas, and I look forward to the engagement with him. I thank the Members for their words of commendation on my recent marriage. Married life so far has been pretty good. I wish all Members a very prosperous and peaceful new year. I hope we can work together, irrespective of our political viewpoints, on behalf of the people who put us here, the citizens, in getting legislation passed. To those Members who are not Government Members I say that this does not mean voting against the Government all the time; it means they can come over and join with us sometimes. I wish all Senators and their families a very peaceful and prosperous new year. I also wish our staff who work in the House well.