Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I believe we should have a contest for the Presidency of our country. I know the Cathaoirleach may rebuke me for that.

I am not familiar with the issue raised regarding retired members of the Defence Forces. I will be happy to talk about that after the Order of Business.

Senator Byrne raised the very important issue of an engineering technology event due to take place in Shannon tomorrow which has been cancelled. The initiative is one we should welcome and embrace because it is not just about primary and secondary school students being able to avail of opportunities. Recently in Cork three women, Gillian Keating, Ruth Buckley and Caroline O'Driscoll, produced a very important initiative called I Wish which is about the STEM subjects, namely, science, technology, engineering and maths, and the need to have more women involved in all of those subject areas. I agree with Senator Byrne that it is important that we promote and advocate for girls and women to study these subjects and go on to different careers.

I would be happy to accept Senator Warfield's amendment to the Order of Business. We should give consideration to working with all sides of the House to ensure that there is protection for workers in the arts. His points were well made.

I will not weigh in on the comments made by Senators Davitt and Craughwell on Mullingar, other than to say it is a fine town and a place I have visited on a number of occasions.

Senator Burke raised a very important issue raised by Senator Byrne last week, namely, the measles epidemic in Limerick. The fact that some 18 of the 20 people affected had not been vaccinated highlights the need for an ongoing campaign to promote the importance of vaccinations and immunisations because they work. Those who say they do not are doing a disservice to young people and young women in respect of the HPV vaccine. Senator Burke referred to the HPV vaccine uptake having increased to 50%, which is something we should support. All of us in the House support the campaign by the HSE and Department of Health on vaccinations.

I have addressed the matters raised by Senator Norris. In respect of the matter raised by Senator Devine, the Minister will come before the House in the coming weeks on the issue of divestment. It has been raised on the Order of Business a number of times and there was a Topical Issues matter on it. The Government is committed to delivering on the commitment in the programme for Government to deliver 400 multidenominational and non-denominational schools by 2030. That is the Government's plan. In some cases things are taking longer than they should, but the point she raised is one that we should all work to see achieved. There should be diversity and choice, and a different model of delivery should be achieved. We will have a debate on that soon.

I fully agree with Senator Clifford-Lee on the pay and conditions of councillors. We had a debate on the matter in the House last week. She is right to raise the point and it is one we should all support, irrespective of politics. Councillors are the vanguard of local government. They are foot soldiers and policy makers. They are employed on a part-time basis, but in reality they work on a full-time basis. They deserve to be paid properly. I agree with the Senator.

I accept the amendment from Senator Warfield to the Order of Business.