Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One can learn from history. That is why Rebuilding Ireland is the cornerstone. Yes, we have a road to travel and I accept we have a great deal of work to do. It is unacceptable that people are waiting. That is why the Government made an announcement on the affordable scheme last week. It is important that we build more houses and we create the environment in which to do that. Members will find that there is no reluctance on my part as Leader or from Members on this side of the House to do that. It is about ensuring that we house people of all ages and in all communities. It is critically important that we give people hope and confidence. That is what Rebuilding Ireland is about.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the Irish Farmers' Journalsuckler herd campaign. Senator Boyhan is correct, as we all know €1 invested in our beef sector underpins €4 in the economy. It is a very important element of our economy. As the Taoiseach said at the AGM of the IFA the farming sector is a very important part of our country. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, has announced six public meetings under the 2020 consultation on the Common Agricultural Policy, which will be reviewed in June of this year by the EU Commission. It is important that we hear all the different voices. That is the reason that the Minister, Deputy Creed, is investing in the beef data genomics programme, BDGP, scheme in terms of the herd. It is an important part of the agricultural sector. I would be happy were the Minister to come to the House in that regard.

Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue of flood relief. It is important to understand that the issues she raised are critically important to the people in the communities she has named. I think it is a bit unfair to say the Office of Public Works is not engaging because from my experience in the city of Cork, and I know from Senator McFadden who has raised the matter in this House, the OPW engaged with communities in different part of Ireland around flood defence needs. I am not familiar with the area that Senator Conway-Walsh raised. I know the Senator raised it last week as well and stated there is a need to up the level of engagement. I would be happy to have the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran, come to the House. The then Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, added special responsibility for flood relief to the role of the Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works. It is important to give Deputy Moran, who replaced Deputy Canney, the opportunity to come into the House to have that debate. I would be happy to facilitate it.

Senator Conway-Walsh addressed the issue of chronic pain. As a former Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health, I invited Chronic Pain Ireland to come before the committee. Dealing with chronic pain is an extraordinary situation in our health system as there is no one condition in some cases, people fall between the cracks. We need to have this issue addressed and I would be happy for the Minister for Health to come to this House. It is critically important that people who are in chronic pain but whose condition remains uncategorised receive a fair hearing.

Senator Ó Ríordáin raised section 39 organisations. I thought he was in government in the past five years with another party as well. I am sure he has forgotten that.