Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 16 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. I join Senator Byrne in paying tribute to Dolores O'Riordan and remembering her today when she is being buried this afternoon in County Limerick. We remember her as a talented musician, a wonderful person, a mum to her children and, as Senator Byrne rightly said, a wonderful ambassador not just for Limerick but for Ireland. We extend our deepest sympathies to her mother, Eileen, her siblings and her children on their tragic loss. I join Senator Craughwell in expressing our sympathies to the family of the late Lieutenant General Gerry McMahon, retired Chief of Staff, on his death. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam dílis.

Senator Ardagh raised the issue of housing and HAP. It is important that we put it in context today that the Government's objective is to reduce the number of people who are homeless and those who are sleeping rough and in emergency accommodation and to provide more social housing. The figures have increased from 700 to 2,000 in 2017 to, hopefully, 4,000 this year. We need to continue activation measures to improve the supply of housing, not just in the private market but also in the area of social housing. As the Taoiseach said in the Dáil today, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of citizens own and buy their own homes. It is also important, as Senator Craughwell said, to praise the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, for the work he has done to date. The Minister is committed to ensuring that housing affordability will be a central focus of his work.

The Government is determined that the housing stock will be increased to 50,000 by 2021 under the Rebuilding Ireland programme. When the Tánaiste, Deputy Coveney, was Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, he received multi-annual and ring-fenced funding, as does the current Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, in respect of the task at hand. If it was just a case of increasing the budget to solve the problem, that would be the end of it. There are some in the House who believe that the solution is to throw money at everything, but that does not always work. What we must ensure is there is a multi-agency approach involving the Government, the HSE, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and local authorities to ensure that people are able to move from their current situations, whether they are homeless or in temporary accommodation, into social housing. We must also ensure that we can have an affordable purchase scheme and an affordable rental scheme. That is why the Government took the initiative outlined yesterday. I commend the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, on the work he has done in respect of the measures outlined yesterday. It will take time.

We must never forget that the construction sector experienced a lost decade. I will not go back over the reasons for that but those Members who know should recognise that certain parts of that jigsaw have not disappeared. Let us look at what IBEC said recently about those involved in trades and apprenticeships. The Government must prioritise apprenticeships in the construction sector as a matter of urgency because there is a deficit in terms of some of the skills that are needed now to address the housing problem. We have some work to do and we are doing it. I commend the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, on what he is doing.

I am not familiar with the second issue Senator Ardagh raised but I would be happy to get the details from her and to talk to the relevant Minister. She is correct that we must put all the building blocks in place together to ensure a collective approach to tackling the matter she raised. I thank her for raising the matter and I will be happy to speak to her about it afterwards. Senator Craughwell also raised the issue of mortgage arrears. There is merit in what he is suggesting, namely, taking a collective, new approach to addressing the issue. It includes the Government, banks and various individuals involved working to address it. I am concerned about the need to have a 10% deposit. Young people working in many parts of Cork and elsewhere in the State claim it is a major issue which I hope will be addressed in the future.

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins referred to the visit of the US Vice President, Mr. Pence, to Shannon Airport last weekend. The use of the airport has been well documented, articulated and debated in this House. I do not share the views of the US Vice President on many matters, but I do not believe he was being deliberately provocative in using the opportunity to visit troops heading to Kuwait. He was on a three-country visit. It is important, however, that we keep our neutrality in context. I certainly would not want to see it being chipped away. I will be happy for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, to come to the House in the near future to discuss the issue. Perhaps as a matter of expediency, the Senator might table a Commencement matter because in that way she might obtain a quicker answer. The Minister will, however, be in the House in the coming weeks. I sincerely share the Senator's view that we should not allow anything to chip away at our neutrality, but I do not believe that has taken place in this case. I share the Senator's view that we should not allow the US Vice President to use any of our airports as a bully pulpit to lecture different parties in the US House of Congress, but in saying that, there is nothing to preclude the Taoiseach or Ministers from being interviewed and doorstepped in other parts of the world.

I join Senator Rose Conway-Walsh in congratulating the Mayo person of the year Sr. Maureen Lally and also Ms Michaela Walsh and the Blacksod-Aughleam community rescue services on their victories in Dublin last week. Those who volunteer and provide services are the heart of communities, for which I commend all of them.

The Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran, and the Office of Public Works have been very proactive in tackling flooding throughout the country. We saw their success last week in Bandon, County Cork. There are plans in many parts of the country to put flood defence barriers in place. We all want to ensure communities, towns, villages and homes are secure. I am sure the Minister of State will work with all of us to have this matter addressed as a matter of urgency.

On the comments of Senator Ivana Bacik, I am not sure I know where to start in commending Deputy Micheál Martin, but I am sure there are many in the Fianna Fáil Party who do not share his view. I thank all Members for their participation in the debate in the House last week which was very measured, responsible and respectful. To give him credit, I commend Senator Gerry Horkan who chaired much of the debate in the absence of the Cathaoirleach for doing a very fine job.

I join Senator Ivana Bacik in commending Senators Gabrielle McFadden, Alice-Mary Higgins and all members of the Vótáil 100 group for the work they are undertaking to celebrate the centenary of universal women’s suffrage. It is great that the Seanad Chamber will be the forum in which the debate will take place on 17 April. I certainly hope it will be a year of celebration.

Senator Ivana Bacik should note that the Taoiseach has always shown leadership. It is prudent that, as Head of the Government, he take time to listen and engage before announcing his own decision and making his statement on the eighth amendment. I am sure he will do so.

I will be very happy to have a debate on housing and the approach taken by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy. I join the Senator in congratulating Mr. Bob Jordan, a former adviser to the former Minister responsible for housing, Deputy Simon Coveney, on his appointment to Housing First.

Senator Ivana Bacik also aired her views on the visit by the US Vice President, Mr. Pence.

Senators Ray Butler and Catherine Noone referred to the self-employed. It is an important issue that Senator Ray Butler has consistently championed in this House and one on which we need to see continuing work, building on the Mangan report. I will be happy to have a debate in the House on the issue in the coming weeks. I agree with the Senators on the need for the self-employed to have greater rights and entitlements.

Senator Robbie Gallagher referred to the teacher shortage. It is worth noting that there will be a debate on the issue in the other House this week and that since 2012, 8,900 more teachers have been employed in schools.There is an issue regarding substitution and replacement. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, has been proactive with the different teaching unions with regard to the recruitment of teachers in physics, home economics and other subjects. There is a need for recruitment to continue but also to change the way we recruit and advertise teacher training. The number of people applying for teacher training has remained consistent over the past several years.

Senator Gallagher also raised the issue of pay inequality among teachers. I share his view but a significant amount of work needs to be done on pay equalisation. I hope the basis for change can be made in the coming months. I would certainly be happy for a debate on that matter in the House.

Senators Reilly, Devine, Byrne and Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of pensions. Senator Reilly has always been to the fore on this matter, raising it in the House frequently. I welcome today's announcement by the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, on this matter. It is the beginning of the next phase of the Government's work in this area. The Government has agreed to allow post-2012 pensioners to choose between their current rate and that to be introduced under the total contributions approach. A new total contributions approach will be available to pensioners affected by the 2012 changes and will include a new home caring credit of up to 20 years. Back money will be given to people. The approach is expected to significantly benefit many people, particularly women whose work historically included an extended period outside the paid workforce at home while raising families in a caring role. I very much welcome the work done by the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty. I commend Senator Reilly, who has always raised this matter, and thank all Members for their contributions on it today.

I agree with Senator Reilly on the issue of Dublin Airport. It is the main airport of the country and a new runway needs to be built there. As Senator Reilly quite rightly said, there is an obligation on the Minister to come forward to reveal the plans for this and, if necessary, a new independent regulator to take on board the issues raised about it. We need to see it happen immediately as a matter of concern. We do not want to choke Dublin Airport any further. While some of us would argue for other airports, such as Cork and Shannon, to be given a priority, Dublin is our main hub and international airport.

Senator Devine raised the issue of counselling. The confidence and supply agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael is going quite well. We would be happy not to take any counselling from the Sinn Féin Party which needs to look at other issues as well.

Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of the liquidation of Carillion and the site for a new school in Carlow. Last week, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, issued a statement on the matter. The National Development Finance Agency is the body responsible for the management of public private partnerships on behalf of the Department. It is actively engaged in the projects for six schools on four sites. I would be happy for the Minister to attend the House on the matter. It is important we have these projects completed and that the six schools in question are delivered, particularly the one in Carlow referred to by Senator Murnane O'Connor.

I join with the Cathaoirleach in congratulating Senator Norris on his victory in "Celebrity Home of the Year" and commend him on his generous act of donating his prize money to charity.

I am not familiar with the court case regarding cyclists to which Senator Norris referred. I would be happy to have the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, or the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, come to the House on the issue of cycling and the use of footpaths. It is important we have a debate on this issue. As more cyclists are using our roads, a harmonious relationship between cyclists, motorists and pedestrians needs to be developed.

Senator McFadden raised the issue of the new family hub in Lynam's Hotel, O'Connell Street. She raised valid points regarding the allocation of moneys. It is important we get this right. It is important the local authority and the Department work together to deliver for the families who require this service. I would be happy to have a debate on this issue in the House. I join Senator Feighan in commending the work of Oireachtas Members and other people in ending Óglaigh na hÉireann's existence. All of us, who want to promote peace and want to see peace in Ireland, recognise that it took an amount of work to get to today and we commend all involved on that. I also join him in congratulating Paul Young on his nomination for an Oscar award. The Minister, Deputy Madigan, will be in the House tomorrow for a debate on arts and culture. I did not realise Boyle was such a hotbed of talent. The Senator outlined the history going back to the original Tarzan almost and Chris O'Dowd. I commend everybody involved in nurturing that talent.