Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Gallagher in that respect and share his opinion. The members of An Garda Síochána do a job every day protecting us all. There is a duty on everyone to come forward with information.

The Taoiseach has commented on the national broadband strategy. The Government is committed to broadband becoming a part of every community. I agree that this is about rural Ireland getting broadband so that industry can locate there as a counterweight to Dublin and other areas. I would be happy to invite the Minister, Deputy Naughten, to the House.

Senator Byrne mentioned the ESRI report in terms of investment in second-tier cities. I assure her that we will have a further debate on the national planning framework. It is an important piece of work that is about to be unfurled and published by the Government and which will plan for the next decade, so we must ensure that it is debated properly.

Senator Ruane raised the matter of the Taoiseach's comments, which were addressed on yesterday's Order of Business. To be fair to him, he was saying that some people required and got help from their parents. He was not saying that all parents should do that. Like him, I recognise that not every parent can give help to a son or daughter. He did not do what the Senator said. What he is being accused of is being honest. Read the affordable home scheme. As Senator Devine mentioned, it is about ensuring that people can buy and get on the property ladder. I will pose a question to all Senators. Do we want to revert to having 100% mortgages, negative equity, house prices going berserk and people being saddled with large debts? As I stated on the Order of Business, young people are suffering trying to save for deposits. I met a young woman on Monday who was desperately trying to get a deposit. We must address that issue, but the Taoiseach is not out of touch. He said that he got a 100% mortgage and that he felt it was bad. Society recognises that 100% mortgages are not the way to go. That is why the Government is committed to ensuring affordable housing for people. As I told Senator Horkan yesterday, we need to have that debate. I would not want to see people under pressure trying to help others. I agree with Senator Ruane that some parents cannot afford to give help and should not be asked to. The country needs an honest debate about housing and affordability. That is what the Government is trying to do.

I watched the "Prime Time" programme on the vaginal mesh. It is unacceptable that women who are suffering must jump through hoops to get answers and solutions. The Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA, the Department of Health with its Chief Medical Officer and many other layers of bureaucracy are charged with inspecting and upholding standards. We must work with the women affected to ensure that they get answers and solutions and are treated in a proper, compassionate and understanding way. That the situations that we heard about on "Prime Time" on Tuesday night are continuing is unacceptable. Best international practice in the device's use and clinical management needs to be followed. If it needs to be banned, let us do that. I will not stand on ceremony in that regard.