Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will begin in reverse order. In terms of the proposed meeting, I had the pleasure of meeting with RTÉ yesterday and I will not pre-empt the discussions you will have, a Chathaoirligh, or that Senator Norris will have, but it is fair to say that RTÉ is looking at its coverage not just of the Oireachtas but of politics in general. It is an evolving world that we live in and there is an obligation on us as Members of the Upper House to become relevant and to stay relevant.

Senator Norris made a good point in that we should not be defensive but there is a reluctance by some members of the media to cover the Seanad. Last week there was a case in point when we had a very fine debate on the eighth amendment. Regardless of the viewpoints of Members, I thought the quality of the speakers in this House was way better in comparison with those in the Lower House. Perhaps I would say that. However, the Lower House received all the coverage, especially on the "Prime Time" programme that night which showed pictures of the Dáil. I accept that Senator Bacik was on the programme. The question we must collectively pose and reflect on is how we stay relevant to the media and beyond in obtaining coverage, but also in terms of what we debate here.

You will know, a Chathaoirligh, as will Senator Mac Lochlainn, as former Members of the other House, the perennial challenge of competing with the Dáil, which is seen to be a bigger beast in the eyes of many. It is a question that needs to be addressed but I would not hold my breath on RTÉ coming to the rescue of the Seanad in terms of coverage. I will have the debate after your meeting, a Chathaoirligh, as I do not wish to pre-empt it in case it is a different type of meeting than I had yesterday.

I wholeheartedly endorse Senator Mark Daly's comments on the undocumented in the United States. He referred to the story of Dylan O'Riordan and the number of deportations from Boston. I heard the horrifying stories this morning on "Morning Ireland". Many of us know people living in many parts of the United States who are afraid to come home, and who are even afraid to use FaceTime or other means of communication for fear they can be trapped or found out. The situation is worrying. That is why the Taoiseach appointed Deputy John Deasy as a special envoy. He and the Tánaiste, Deputy Coveney, have been in the Stáit Aontaithe, as has the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon. Senator Mark Daly is correct that going there should not be just about St. Patrick's Day. The budget talks are linked to immigration and the deferred action for childhood arrivals, DACA, and the Dreamer programme have brought into perspective the fear among many emigrants across many different communities. We have all seen the clips on Facebook and other social media showing immigration officers travelling on buses in many parts of the United States. I share the Senator's concerns and I will wholeheartedly endeavour to have the Tánaiste come to the House before the journeys of the Ministers across the world, but in particular to the United States, begin.

I am aware Senator Mark Daly has a strong connection with the House of Representatives and the Senate. There is a duty on us as legislators to work together to continue the work we are doing. I am not being political when I say it but the sad part is that the political landscape in the United States now is so different from that which existed previously. I suspect the opportunity is nearly gone but we cannot give up hope. We must hope that moderate Republicans will work with sensible politicians from around the world, in our case Irish politicians, and Democrats to forge a way forward. The task has become more difficult but I share Senator Mark Daly's views and I will arrange to have that debate as soon as I can.

Senator Mac Lochlainn repeatedly raised the matter of Swan Park, the riverside park in the Inishowen Peninsula. I know there was a public meeting this week on the matter. Unfortunately, I do not have the answers but I would be happy to make representations for him, as I did before. I know it is an amenity that is very important to the people in the community he spoke about. The Government has responded to the flooding in Donegal. Senator Mac Lochlainn may think it could have been better but from talking to Fine Gael councillors and others in Donegal I know that a lot of work was done at the beginning and since then.I do not have the answers with me, but I would be happy to speak to the Senator and pursue the matter later. I would support any endeavour to get the park opened as a matter of urgency.

Senator Grace O'Sullivan raised the issue of the tragic death of Mr. Michael Gallagher. I sympathise with his family members on their bereavement. I will not get into a political debate with the Senator on the matter now. When discussing the health system and budget, however, it is important to recognise that this year we have allocated the largest health expenditure in the history of the State. There has been a 20% increase in the health budget in recent years. More staff are being recruited and more money has been allocated, but if it was just a question of investing money, we would be the best in the world. As it is, we are in the top five countries in terms of spend per capita. That is why the Minister, Deputy Harris, initiated the bed capacity review.

It is important that there be reform in tandem with investment. That means accountability and responsibility. There is political accountability and there needs to be responsibility on the part of hospital managers, clinicians and all parts of the health sector. There must be an ongoing debate on health. I look forward to the Minister attending the House to discuss the health service capacity review. More capacity is necessary. It is unacceptable that people are on trolleys and waiting for operations, but we have opened more beds and finance has been increased.

I wonder where we are going wrong in terms of access to health. If one turned on Sky News, "NBC Nightly News" and RTÉ news this week, the headline stories would have been about the flu epidemic and people trying to access hospitals. As a former Chairman of the Oireachtas health committee, I am a firm believer in investing in primary care. It is the way forward. We will have that debate in the coming weeks.

I will not go into the tragic death of Mr. Gallagher as it cannot be brushed aside as a political issue. It is about a family suffering a bereavement. We must all work to ensure that whatever happened in his case is eliminated from the health system.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the issue of RCSI Bahrain and accreditation. When he raised it previously, I did some research. The Medical Council uses strict criteria, but the vote was 10-7 and a number of people voiced strong views as to why it should not happen. I agree with the Senator regarding human rights issues and how people, particularly some medics, were treated in Bahrain. I am concerned. From the point of view of accreditation and research, I am satisfied that the Medical Council's standards are being met and that people coming to Ireland are of the highest calibre, but the Senator has made a strong case about the human rights violations in Bahrain. I support him in that regard.

I also agree with Senator Ó Clochartaigh that Irish Water needs to run clinics in Leinster House again. It has good interactions on social media. If one direct messages the organisation on Twitter, one gets a quick response. However, it would be useful, beneficial and helpful to Members of the Oireachtas if Irish Water resumed its clinics. On foot of the Senator's request, I will raise the matter with Irish Water again. It has experienced personnel changes, so we must determine a contact person. The Senator's idea is a good one and I am happy to support him in it.

Senator Hopkins raised the issue of the reduction in the number of beds at the Rosalie unit in Castlerea. I welcome last night's meeting. I understand the Senator's concerns and frustration. It is worth putting on the record that the unit's residents are predominantly elderly, with many suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia. The HSE has an obligation to work with all involved, including the families, to ensure that the unit does not close. I share the Senator's concerns. This is about engagement. A solution can be found. Matters have changed since the former Minister of State, Ms Kathleen Lynch's comments in 2015. For example, we have allocated more money to the HSE. There needs to be a solution. The Cathaoirleach suggested raising this as a Commencement matter. I welcome the Senator's remarks.

I join Senator Gallagher in paying tribute to and remembering the late Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe on the anniversary of his murder. There are people with information about his death who should come forward. The Senator is right. It is no consolation to his wife, Caroline, and children that we commend him today, but we should all ensure that people with information give it to the Garda so that we can find those who murdered him in cold blood.